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NHS North Somerset PCT improves communication at new health centre with ntl:Telewest Business
Published 17th September 2009
NHS North Somerset PCT is ensuring that patients and colleagues can contact medical staff at its new primary care resource centre quickly and easily, resulting in faster responses to queries and better public service, by deploying IP-based telephony. IP Multimedia, supplied by ntl:Telewest Business, part of the Virgin Media Group, ensures that staff at the Marina Healthcare Centre can be reached through a single phone number irrespective of their location within the three storey building.
Opened in May 2009, the Marina Healthcare Centre in Portishead is the largest health facility to be built in the North Somerset area for two decades. It provides state-of-the-art facilities for the Harbourside Family Practice’s general practitioners along with community health services. Available services include physiotherapy and podiatric medicine, pulmonary rehabilitation along with complex wound treatment.
The new centre has the capacity to support a patient list of 15,000 and accommodate 50 members of staff. The site has 17 consulting and examination rooms, two treatment rooms, a practice manager’s office and ancillary accommodation, as well as a physiotherapy suite for up to 30 patients.
“With so many staff moving around such a large site and clinics being held in varying rooms, it was vital that we had a flexible communications system,” said Vicki Lovis, Estates and Facilities Manager at NHS North Somerset. “Having worked with ntl:Telewest Business for seven years, we have built a strong partnership with the company and they worked closely with us to ensure we had the best system in place. IP Multimedia is an innovative solution that provides us with the flexibility we require, with each person taking their extension number with them wherever they go.”
A new 0300 number for the health centre has also been introduced to provide a memorable, free, contact number for patients. An option menu directs the patient to their required service, so they have fast and efficient access to the information they need.
“The Marina Health Care Centre has been designed and built to provide a better healthcare experience for patients, quicker access to diagnosis and treatment and the very best medical facilities, all in a single site,” said David Astley, head of health and emergency services at ntl:Telewest Business. “Having a flexible telecoms system in place is essential for ensuring that the right people have access to the right information at the right time. As a result, calls can be handled more effectively and the community receives the highest level of service.”
With IP Multimedia now in place at Marina Healthcare Centre, free site-to-site calls can be made to the PCT’s headquarters at Waverley House, Clevedon Hospital and additional sites at East End Court and Griffin House. Due to the success of the initial deployment, the PCT is also looking to roll out IP Multimedia at additional sites.
IP Multimedia is a fully managed, network-based service that provides IP-based voice and video communication.
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About ntl:Telewest Business
ntl:Telewest Business has the most technically advanced of the UK’s two national networks. Its vast nation-wide Next Generation Network provides businesses, public sector organisations and service providers across the UK with a complete portfolio of advanced data, internet and voice services. The £13billion network is flexible, scaleable and is already built out to more than 38,000 street cabinets across the UK.
As part of a commitment to deliver superior customer service, ntl:Telewest Business sales and support teams are located in close proximity to its customers in over 40 centres across the UK.
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