WiFi SPARK provide a WiFi solution and a number of mobile kiosks for patients, visitors and staff at North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Statement from North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
"Technology and Internet services are considered to be all part of today’s lifestyle. North Essex Partnership is committed to providing the best patient experience to its Service Users and to being a leader in the integration of technology used to assist in the recovery of its patients, part of the integrated care plans.
Designed with a view to the best Service Users’ experience it is critical that the system is reliable, configurable, and presents no risk to the user or the Trust. The solution needed to be deployed as a completely independent service with any issues regarding the hardware or service handled by the vendor.
WiFi SPARK provided a robust, secure, and cost- effective solution that can be used in a number of dedicated areas within the Trust’s wards. WiFi SPARK also manage all aspects of administration and support on behalf of the Trust’s ICT Team.
Working with WiFi SPARK, the Trust can now offer a cutting edge facility to assist with the Service Users’ rehabilitation that at least matches, if not exceeds, the facilities available to patients outside the hospital environment."
Profile
North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust provides mental health, substance misuse and social care services and support for over 23,600 individuals and their families in north Essex.
With over 2,000 employees working across 78 sites and serving a population of over 1 million, North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust provide services to people living in over 1,000 square miles of north Essex, as well as providing some specialist services to Suffolk, East Hertfordshire and South Essex.
The Requirement
The Trust had a requirement to introduce mobile Internet/WiFi technology on a gradual yet progressive basis. The vision was to introduce the service at a basic level and then with patient, visitor and staff input, develop the service into an all round informative mobile experience. The Trust needed a company who they could work with to develop the service they needed. WiFi SPARK was to be that company.
Solution
Having selected WiFi SPARK, the Trust chose three locations to install a one-year proof of concept. At each location, WiFi SPARK installed a small WiFi network, together with a mobile PC/Kiosk. The PC/Kiosk offers free-to-use, filtered internet services and is specified to be used by patients and visitors. The unit is also specified for use by staff for one-to-one therapy with patients.
The PC/Kiosk solution is a portable unit that is ideal for shared use within public environments. Built on wheels, this all-in-one mobile unit operates under the canopy of a WiFi SPARK wireless network. The mobile stand is stainless steel, with an anti-vandal keyboard. The touch screen is 19” LCD. The functionality of the product far exceeds the current requirements although this may change during the proof of concept.
Users can sit at the PC/Kiosk and after logging in with pre-agreed credentials are granted filtered access to the internet for surfing, social networking and other activities.
The WiFi network is designed to be available in a specified location only. The WiFi ”Experience” can be accessed by other personal mobile devices although filtered internet access is currently not available on these devices at the Trust’s request.
Functionality
The Trust now offers a free-to-use and safe internet access service by use of mobile PC/Kiosk providing all the required filtering for the particular environment.
In case of user queries the service comes with a 24/7 Help Desk service with remote monitoring and maintenance from WiFi SPARK. The user is directed to a specifically designed “User Experience” login page that will develop into an interactive information resource over the proof of concept duration.
The service is fully compliant with the legal requirements for hosting WiFi. Should the Trust be called upon to provide Lawful Intercept information, WiFi SPARK will work with the authorities on the Trust’s behalf to ensure the requirements are fulfilled.
Conclusion
The Trust has installed a truly unique solution that can be developed and expanded upon, based on patient, visitor and staff requirements.
Click here to download the case study
