Preparing healthcare organisations for the PSTN switch-off
UK’s PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) switch-off – the biggest change in business telecommunications in three decades – is now approaching rapidly, with a deadline of January 2027. For the healthcare industry, this represents a pivotal turning point that demands immediate attention.
If your hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility still relies on traditional landlines or analogue systems, it’s time to act. The PSTN phase-out will impact every vital communication and medical device that depends on legacy technology. Delay could threaten patient safety, disrupt essential services, and compromise sensitive data security.
Why the PSTN switch-off is a critical issue for healthcare organisations
Most healthcare environments depend heavily on legacy systems, from EHRs (Electronic Health Records) to pagers used by doctors and hospital staff to vital medical and patient alert devices. The PSTN switch-off will affect:
- Pagers, emergency alarms and EHRs: Crucial for rapid response and patient safety
- Major medical devices: Including infusion pumps, defibrillators, ventilators, MRIs, X-rays, and monitoring systems
- Health pendants, patient-facing apps, and alert systems: For elderly or vulnerable patients at home or in-care facilities
- Pathology systems: For diagnostic labs and remote testing labs
- Cryogenic fridges and freezers: Preserving samples and medicines
- Contact networks for staff and patients: Phones, internet, and intercoms
- Building systems: Lifts, CCTV, fire alarms, and access controls
- Pharmacy systems: Ordering, dispensing, and managing medications
- Supply chain management: Ordering, inventory management, and logistics systems that track medical supplies
All of these rely on older analogue or ISDN lines now being phased out, and without necessary upgrades, hospitals risk losing crucial connectivity, risking patient safety, operational efficiency, and compliance.
The impact of the PSTN switch-off on healthcare sites
- Emergency response systems and alarms may fail if not migrated to new digital solutions, risking delays in life-saving interventions.
- Medical devices, machines, and systems connected via analogue lines could cease functioning, leading to equipment downtime or patient safety hazards.
- Paging systems and indispensable alerts for staff and patients could become inoperable, impairing imperative connection channels.
- Lab systems and data management could face interruptions, delaying diagnoses and treatment.
- Building safety systems such as CCTV, lifts, and fire alarms could lose connectivity, compromising security and safety.
- Delays in supply deliveries and risking shortages of medical supplies, which could seriously impact patient care and hospital operations.
Urgent PSTN switch-off steps healthcare providers must take
The PSTN switch-off requires immediate action to make sure safety and operations are continuous. To navigate this change smoothly, partnering with an experienced, trusted telecom provider who has assisted a substantial number of customers in the healthcare industry, is important. They understand the challenges and will guide you through every step of the PSTN switch-off, ensuring continuity of crucial services and patient safety. This should include:
- Comprehensive site audit: A trusted telecom provider for the PSTN switch-off will conduct a detailed review of all your systems, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
- Exploring future-proofed solutions: They will recommend tailored, IP-based alternatives, suitable for healthcare environments.
- Strategic migration planning: The PSTN switch-off provider will develop a phased, risk-managed migration plan that minimises disruption, ensures patient safety, and maintains healthcare regulations.
- Ongoing support and maintenance: Post-migration, your provider should offer continuous support, updates, and cyber security solutions to ensure your systems are secure and resilient.
Why you must act now before the PSTN switch-off
Waiting until the January 2027 deadline risks loss of critical communication channels, equipment failures, and security breaches. Early migration allows your healthcare organisation to ensure continuous patient care and safety, compliance, and reduced operational risks and costs.
Download your action plan – the free PSTN switch-off planning tool for healthcare organisations.
Don’t risk waiting! Download our free healthcare communication transition checklist today. This planning tool offers easy-to-understand, expert advice on the PSTN switch-off, and ensures your healthcare operations remain unaffected by the biggest telecom change in 30 years.
Visit wavenet.co.uk/pstn-switch-off for more information.
Unified Communications & Voice, Government & Healthcare, PSTN, Blogs, Switch-off
