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How System C are Automating for Better Care (A4BC)
Medicines are one of the most significant areas of NHS spending, costing over £19 billion annually[1], and touch nearly every part of the health and care system. As the NHS seeks to deliver better value for taxpayers and improve population health, improving how medicines are managed, monitored, and shared across settings is vital.
System C is proud to have collaborated with the Automating for Better Care (A4BC) Forum and BD to help shape a new Benefits Framework for Medicines Interoperability, a practical, system-agnostic calculator which is now available to Trusts across the country. This work reflects our commitment to supporting national digital transformation efforts and driving measurable benefits at the front line.
The benefits forecasting calculator supports NHS England’s aims around medication safety, interoperability, digitisation of care, and value-based investment, making it a timely asset for any organisation progressing their digital maturity journey.
What does the Calculator Achieve?
This calculator is designed to help NHS organisations define, evidence, and communicate the value of interoperable systems across the medicines pathway, from prescribing and pharmacy to administration and monitoring, while also quantifying the benefit value of medicines automation initiatives.
Drawing on published evidence, practitioner insight, and real-world examples, the calculator supports Trusts in developing the business case for making critical investment decisions.
Whether your Trust uses System C solutions or not, the framework provides an accessible starting point for exploring how interoperability delivers value not just in theory, but in day-to-day practice.
Why this Matters Now
Despite national ambitions and progress on digitisation, many Trusts are still struggling to build strong business cases for medicines-related automation, especially where the benefits cut across departments or rely on shared systems. The published whitepapers and benefits calculator provide the clarity and structure needed to overcome those challenges.
The “Automating for Better Care” Medicines Automation Programme covers the full medicines pathway, using robotic and digital solutions to cut errors, waste, delays, and manual processes. Core components include:
Together, these initiatives create a safer, faster, end-to-end medicines process while freeing clinical and pharmacy staff for higher-value work.
Making the Calculator Work for You
The Medicines Automation Benefits Calculator enables you to input local data and generate indicative estimates of potential annual benefits.
Please note that these projections are illustrative and should be validated and refined internally, considering your organisation’s current-state baselines. The outputs are based on speculative analysis, internal testing, and clinical insights, and are not guaranteed to yield specific outcomes.
The calculator is designed to serve as a strategic calculator, highlighting the potential scale of savings and efficiencies. It can be used to inform business cases, guide investment decisions, and help prioritise initiatives as part of your digital transformation journey.
Next Steps
To learn more about how the A4BC Benefits Framework can support your medicines optimisation strategy and how System C can help deliver interoperable solutions that work, get in touch with our team or explore our Medicines Management offerings.
