Croydon Health Services NHS Foundation Trust install WiFi to further enhance their extensive list of patient services. This will offer patients a great tool for keeping in touch with friends, family or work as well as catching up with the latest news.
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Company Profile
The Trust that was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust.
Around 3,500 staff provide services for a population of over 340,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity. The Trust’s Vision: To be a provider of high quality, safe and compassionate care for local people.
Business Situation
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and specifically the team at Mayday Hospital needed a solution to the ever increasing demand for Patient and Visitor internet access. With many possible vendors in the market, no one seemed to offer the full package of infrastructure, service and support. A high profile hospital such as Mayday needed to locate a reliable and proven supplier for the service and was keen to invite specialist WiFi providers to offer a solution.
The service was therefore advertised as an Invitation to Tender and a comprehensive tender document was prepared and sent to the larger and more reputable WiFi operators.
Challenge
Internet access in a public environment is something that must be taken very seriously. Whilst not necessarily being considered as ‘mission critical’ patients are increasingly reliant on the communication means provided by the internet, whether for work or home. Maintaining a reliable service, one that prevents misuse and one that is cost effective is the challenge. WiFi SPARK have met that challenge and provided the right level of equipment and service.
Solution
Following successful completion of the tender process, WiFi SPARK was chosen as the preferred supplier for patient and visitor internet service. This was only one part of the project as modifications were required to the Trust’s WiFi network.
WiFi SPARK worked closely with the Trust’s network specialists and a solution was agreed that met the technical criteria and security needs of the Trust. The service was implemented, tested and then made live in March 2011.
Functionality
Patients, visitors and even staff are now able to utilise the Trust’s WiFi network safe in the knowledge that the connection is filtered, bandwidth controlled and monitored. The use of the system is simple, a branded login page is presented to the user and they can choose how much time they wish to purchase. A credit card transaction is made (fully encrypted and PCI compliant) and the user can access the web, send emails, make VoIP calls or even watch video.
Conclusion
When it comes to understanding the needs of the Trust, WiFi SPARK was able to demonstrate a proven track record and solid grounding in patient and visitor internet access. Commercially and technically the most attractive, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust had a clear winner of their competitive tender.
Click here to download the the mini case study
