The result of the general election in May will undoubtedly have a sizeable impact on organisations such as schools and the NHS who rely on significant funding from the public purse. There’s no doubt that operating budgets are going to be tight over the next five years, despite promises of ring fencing in some areas.

Whilst there were many good things in the recent Queen’s Speech, a large part of the Government’s focus is on reducing the deficit, something that will have knock on effects for many publicly run departments. Never has it been more important for administrative sections to control the amount they spend. The good news is that technology is coming to the aid of those departments who want to operate in a more efficient way.

Education and the New Government

Whilst the Queen’s Speech outlined the Conservative government’s plans to increase availability to free child care it also said that future underperforming schools could well find themselves under new governorship. Added to this, the free schools programme is set to be extended which it is hoped will provide more flexibility and greater choice for local communities.

The Government plan to come down a little harder on ‘coasting’ schools in order to improve educational standards across the board has met with its critics over recent weeks but the bottom line is that all schools need to make sure that they are making the most of what they have. That includes in areas such as administration and resource management as well as how they deliver daily classes and the curriculum.

The Future of the NHS

Often accused of being in meltdown, the NHS is another area where budgets are perpetually limited and major changes to operating procedures need to be implemented, particularly in the area of administration. Whilst there was no specific Bill associated with the NHS this year, the good news is that the Government has committed to securing its future. Indeed, much of the preamble to the General Election this time round was which party was going to meet the financing required for the next five years.

There are, of course, some peripheral legislative measures that are being planned which may well effect workers in the NHS such as the changes to the trade union right to strike and devolution of decision making to local communities to name but a few. As with our educational establishments, the NHS needs to make the most of its resources. That doesn’t just mean the employment of medical staff and the purchase of drugs, the organisation is underpinned by a large administrative workforce that can help in making it run more efficiently over the next five years.

Making the Most of Resources

For both educational establishments and organisations such as the NHS, making the most of resources such as printing and document management can help reduce costs across the board. It’s not just a case of getting a new, energy efficient printer installed but taking a holistic look at how you save, print, store and disseminate information. Undertaking a full print audit with ISL Smart Solutions can give all organisations a complete view of where they are currently, improving the use of resources to ultimately cut costs and boost efficiency in the workplace.