This is intended to help medical professionals in the region to better support patients’ needs by using cloud-based IT services, and to access patient data securely over high-bandwidth digital connections.

 

24 NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Sussex and Kent will be able to order a wide range of communications services from BT.

 

The Trusts and CCGs will be able to use a variety of the latest technologies, such as digital voice services, videoconferencing, superfast fibre broadband and high-speed Wi-Fi.

 

For example, the new network will allow easier and more reliable access to online patient care records, and hospitals and GP services could use cloud-based services such as ‘choose and book’ for patient appointments. 

 

BT will work closely with everyone concerned to minimise the impact on busy clinical and administrative teams.

 

Danny Longbottom, Director of Local Government and Health, BT said:

 

“Secure, flexible, high speed connections are increasingly critical to delivering efficient, timely and patient-focused care. We’re proud to be working in partnership with NHS Digital to offer a huge range of services to eligible NHS Trusts and CCGs across the South East under this new contract, including embedded security enhanced features – an absolute must when dealing with sensitive patient data and relying on cloud-based applications.”

 

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As one of the most beloved British institutions, it is an excellent idea for the NHS to be working hard to modernise the way it manages appointments or patient records. When I worked in medical records, less than 4 years ago, all patient records were stored in huge bulky paper files. Definitely time for an update!

 

An equally vital function for businesses is the question of how they are managing and recording their employees’ daily attendance. Many companies are still using old-fashioned paper timesheets, which the employee fills in themselves. The NHS is known for using paper timesheets and in a striking … coincidence … they have lost thousands to fraudulent submissions by employees.

 

(See here and here and here for just a few recent examples)

 

To bring your attendance management into the 21st century, we recommend a clocking terminal. This sturdy machine can be placed at the entrance and exit to your building, and the data from people clocking in or out is what is used to calculate their payslips at the end of the week or month. 

 

We offer radio-frequency smartcards for employees to use, which don’t need to physical touch the machine and can register with the reader through the average wallet or pocket. If smartcards would be a hazard or you are worried about fraudulent clocking, you can use fingerprints or hand geometry scanners. 

 

Your employees may work remotely or in many different places and so a permanent machine wouldn’t be useful. We have the solution for that too: our Self Service Module is available for web browser and as a mobile app, and allows employees to clock in or book onto jobs. 

 

Their location can be recorded using the GPS of their phone if you feel the need to check where they were, and their manager can see all of this information in a clear and simple layout.