UCLH Keeps State Of The Art Hospital In Touch With Azzurri
High-Tech Hospital Implements IP Telephony to Create a Modern Telecommunications Environment.30 Mar 2005 – Newbury, UK – Communications and technology company, Azzurri Communications and the leading provider of IP communications solutions, Mitel, today announced that they have been selected by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), to provide a complete IP communications system for its newly-constructed hospital facility on Euston Road, London.
The Trust aims to connect around 2,000 handsets to its new network, enabling staff to make full use of hospital services and maintain a high level of service to patients.As one of the most technologically advanced hospital in Europe, UCLH requires a modern communications infrastructure that fits with The Trust’s main objectives for its new hospital. After researching the telecommunications marketplace, UCLH recognised that IP telephony offers the most advanced communications platform commercially available, with the lowest element of risk. As it operates in a critical environment, The Trust requires a flexible and resilient communications system, as it cannot afford for it to be down for any length of time.Rather than a traditional ward structure, the new hospital is made up of multi-disciplinary floors, creating a much more flexible environment for staff and patients.
The IP solution will complement this, enabling UCLH to have greater flexibility with its communications. Consultants, and other staff who are required to work in all areas of the hospital, will be able to keep the same telephone number as they move around, simply logging on to the telephone system from wherever they are.
UCLH has already experienced cost savings through the need to install just a single cable infrastructure accommodating both its voice and data networks.
In the future, The Trust envisages more savings from not having to upgrade its telephony system when new applications are added. It will also drive down the cost of any departmental moves and changes as the telephone system will not require reprogramming for each relocation.Azzurri is implementing the Mitel 3300 Integrated Communications Platform (ICP), combined with Mitel 5201 and 5215 IP handsets across the hospital. UCLH is also installing the Mitel Messaging Server (6510) to provide extra resilience in its voicemail facility, guaranteeing delivery of all messages. UCLH selected Mitel following an evaluation of IP manufacturers, in which Mitel was recommended for its reliability and scalability.
Peter Burroughs, Director of Capital Investment, UCLH said: “UCLH and its partners have put a great deal of time and effort into the development of the new hospital. The result is a hospital that we are all very proud of and which will meet the aim to provide the very best facilities for patients and staff. The Trust’s telecommunications strategy had to match this aim and after extensive evaluation Mitel systems were chosen. It was also very important for the Trust to ensure that the systems were implemented in the best possible manner. Azzurri proved their capabilities in this field by winning what was a very competitive tender and we look forward to building on our relationship with them.
“The Trust’s new ?422 million hospital, based on the Euston Road, is one of the largest NHS building projects in the country and will provide patients, staff and visitors with world class facilities and an opportunity to embrace new ways of working to improve the patient experience and maximise the potential of new technology.
UCLH selected Azzurri as its implementation partner from an original list of 54. Due to its existing relationship through a telecoms maintenance contract, UCLH knew that Azzurri provided it with a strong cultural fit, being responsive and flexible to the way The Trust works. It also had experience of the strong technical expertise within Azzurri and knew that it could help deliver The Trust’s vision of a state-of-the art system.
Martin St Quinton, chief executive officer of Azzurri Communications, said: “Given the critical nature of a hospital’s work, it is vital that staff can communicate effectively, wherever they are working in the building, ensuring the best level of care for patients. The state of the art design of the UCLH facility requires a communications infrastructure in keeping with this ethos. IP telephony is at the leading edge of telecommunications development and enables The Trust to achieve its objective of being the most technologically advanced hospital in Europe. We are incredibly proud to be a part of this project.”Graham Bevington, managing director of Mitel, said: “Mitel is delighted to be working with both Azzurri and the UCLH on this exciting project. The Mitel IP solution is a perfect fit for this innovative leading hospital as convergence holds the promise of changing the rules of delivering healthcare services and ultimately delivering a new model of patient-centred care.
Mitel is well established in the health sector and are focusing on bringing the benefits of convergence to the organisation itself and the end user.”
