Somerset Primary Care Trust is responsible for addressing the health needs of people who live in the county of Somerset.
The trust has recently called upon the expertise of WiFi SPARK to implement a Wireless Wide Area Network throughout its hospitals and GP surgeries.
The trust currently manages 13 Community Hospitals and 75 GP sites providing services such as out-patient care, minor surgery, rehabilitation, care for older people and GP patient monitoring. They form a link between GP and community nursing services and the resident population of Somerset.
Incorporating the very latest wireless technology, WiFi SPARK has installed a service that allows NHS staff, guests and potentially public users to roam between hospital and General Practitioner surgeries in Somerset, allowing seamless access to internet, voice and data throughout.
The system allows high security access for NHS staff at the same time as providing a virtual network to public internet services.
On top of all this a hidden secure identifier provides a carrier for a Voice over IP service, creating an internal phone system, able to communicate freely between sites with a single portable handset.
The new wireless system is designed to meet the demands of hospital and GP staff who are constantly on the go and rely more and more on wireless devices to communicate and retrieve data quickly and seamlessly, where ever they may be within the local health community. In addition the mobility system can be utilised as a publicly accessible secure hotspot at each site without the need for any additional equipment.
Matthew Rawles, Somerset PCT’s Head of IT commented “We chose WiFi SPARK for their knowledge of WiFi Technology and their proven track record”, “they understand the needs of a PCT and have delivered on time, on functionality and on budget”.
Strategically the contract with Somerset PCT shows a new direction for WiFi SPARK who has over 450 installations to date. Matt O’Donovan, WiFi SPARK’s MD states “Dependable WiFi systems are exactly what we provide and to us the work for the PCT demonstrates our commitment to this sector.” The company has recently deployed a Hospital Wide solution for Kings College Hospital further demonstrating its ability to deliver tailor made WiFi solutions.
Somerset PCT expects to extend the WiFi SPARK deployment further over the coming months.