Posts about Government & Healthcare

Back in May 2023, the government announced that £240 million would be made available for GP practices to buy and install cloud-based phone systems, pitched as a way of addressing the “8am rush” of patient calls.¹ Three years on, that funding round has closed, and the picture looks very different: the vast majority of practices have made the move, and cloud-based telephony is now something practices report on as standard, rather than something they apply for. This article reflects on what the programme achieved, what's required of practices now, and why the PSTN switch-off means this still isn't a topic to file away.

Ask any GP practice manager about their biggest operational headache and you'll usually hear something about peak-time call volumes, the 8am rush being the most familiar example. Phones ringing off the hook the moment reception opens, patients redialling in frustration or stuck in a queue for long periods, and a reception team trying to triage, book and reassure all at once.

For NHS Trust leaders, meeting the demands of cyber security assurance has never been more urgent. With the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) now aligned to the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), NHS organisations now need to demonstrate not only whether controls are in place, but how effective they are in practice.

We help healthcare providers revolutionise patient care through digital transformation and cloud contact centre technology. By combining our expertise with Five9’s market-leading platform, we enable hospitals, clinics, and health systems to deliver faster, more personalised, and more accessible care. This comprehensive guide explains how to: Break down data and operational silos Integrate digital and in-person patient journeys Enable secure self-service portals and chatbots Deliver seamless omnichannel engagement across voice, email, SMS, and video We empower healthcare organisations to unlock underused data, improve clinical team productivity, and meet rising patient expectations — all while enhancing outcomes, lowering costs, and creating connected care experiences that stand out in today’s competitive healthcare market.

Transforming healthcare with smarter, connected care Healthcare today faces extraordinary pressures, but also unprecedented opportunities. Patients want quick, convenient, and personalised interactions, while providers face rising demand, workforce shortages, tighter budgets, and escalating cyber risks. These challenges are real, but they don’t have to define the future of care. Read on to see how we help healthcare organisations turn these challenges into opportunities, and how our communication tools are helping healthcare providers to deliver seamless, patient-centred experiences.

Healthcare, pharmaceutical and life science organisations can take advantage of cloud and AI technologies to help improve and streamline the patient experience. By meeting the demand for rapid issue resolution, hyper-personalised experiences and more patient-centric engagements, healthcare providers can get ahead of the curve to deliver more accessible, cost effective care that sets them apart from their peers. Download infographic

Preparing healthcare organisations for the PSTN switch-off

The NHS is vital to healthcare provision in the UK, aiming to deliver free or low-cost care to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. But it is underfunded. To help reduce the financial burden, healthcare environments need to be better, smarter and more efficient.

More than 800 fax machines are still being used by the NHS – almost four years after the Government's deadline for a total ban on them.