obtain faster and cheaper internet connectivity via their CN-SP and avoid the need to obtain additional local internet connectivity that is less secure or less monitored. Additionally, the HSCN Advanced Network Monitoring (ANM) service inspects all Internet traffic from CN-SPs and instantly blocks any known malicious content, and also includes a new advanced threat detection capability designed to identify brand new or ‘zero day exploits’. It operates as a cloud based service meaning all CN-SPs benefit from the same high level of high performance protection. Social care connections Health and social care organisations need to share information and services electronically in order to provide coherent, joined up services to the public. HSCN enables all organisations involved in the provision of health and care services to share information with one another and to access national and local health applications and systems reliably and efficiently. See examples of how HSCN could help social care organisations deliver services. HSCN is also designed to enable NHS and non-NHS social care organisations to collaborate with one another more easily on the procurement and operation of shared, place-based, data networks. HSCN provides highly reliable and available private network connectivity required for accessing the numerous national and local health and social care systems today. It also offers internet connectivity with enhanced security over the same connection. HSCN has enhanced, centrally managed security capabilities to protect against escalating cyber threats and to ensure high levels of network
reliability and availability are maintained. Because HSCN is provided by multiple, competing suppliers, to a defined set of standards that are aligned to existing industry practice, network connectivity will cost broadly the same as standard broadband connectivity and significantly less than it did under the previous National NHS Network (N3) arrangements. HSCN standards are designed to enable a broad range of suppliers to offer network services that use the latest technology and innovation without compromising seamless interoperability. While HSCN connectivity alone will not transform health and care services, we’ve listed some practical examples of how HSCN could help improve the services your organisation offers. Care homes and other care providers such as domiciliary care could benefit greatly from having a consistent electronic transfer of medical discharge summary (typically sent to a GP within 24 hours), enabling them to fully prepare their service for supporting people discharged from a hospital. At present, the medical discharge summary is often sent to care homes by post or by the person who has been discharged. This can create a delay between the discharge and the care home understanding the person’s needs, which may have changed significantly in that time. HSCN can also provide social care organisations an access to national applications, such as Summary Care Records (SCR) and locally held data sources like GP records, to obtain information on prescriptions, allergies and end of life care preferences. L FURTHER INFORMATION https://digital.nhs.uk/
Plans announced by NHS Digital in February will see NHS staff able to communicate with each other through better integrated systems, eventually seeing users being able to log into a range of applications and services, integrated with Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), using their NHSmail credentials. The initiative will integrate NHSmail, which uses Microsoft Exchange and Skype for Business to securely share patient information, with Office 365. All NHS employees can use NHSmail, as can those organisations commissioned to deliver NHS services. The first part of the journey will be the synchronisation of the NHSmail directory with Azure AD, which was expected to be completed by April. This will be quickly followed by integration with Office 365 services – commonly known as O365. This should be completed by August. Neil Bennett, Service Director for NHS Digital, said: “This synchronisation of NHSmail to Azure AD and integration with O365 is part of our long-term vision to bring about greater collaboration across the wider health and care system. It means information can be more readily and securely shared between health and care organisations and teams can collaborate more easily. “Ultimately it will enable NHS staff to access multiple applications and services using their NHSmail user name and password which makes their job easier. This benefits patients because it makes the NHS more efficient and they can be assured that their confidentiality continues to be strictly maintained.”
Volume 18.3 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Conectivity
HCSN acts as a single network provided by many suppliers, meaning health and care providers can access services and share information, regardless of their location or network supplier
NHS connectivity services
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