ICT Key Activities
-
Additional ICT-Supported GP laptops
We are aware of many practices requesting additional equipment.
The ICT team have a list of laptops that have previously been given to GP Practices and not returned for disposal, so are presumably still in use.
The current number of laptops with Practices across NWLondon is over 1400. They will have been given out at different times depending on need and requirements of the CCG’s GP IT Capital decision makers
Practices have been asked to respond with their list of laptops so that we can identifying all available equipment across the GP estate, and understand the gaps.
In the past week (w\c 16-03-2020) the desktop team have received over 100 laptops that were unused in practices, and have been working through the evenings to rebuild and returned them. Most have been old but usable for the moment, and approximately 20% have been faulty.
We have already re-build over 100 laptops in the past week
Earlier this week (w\c 16-03-2020) orders were placed with Dell for 1,700 laptops. The current expected eta is within 4-5 weeks for the initial deliveries. Dell have given their factory a heads up and will get the order on the Covid-19 NHS escalation list and prioritized at the factory as soon as we receive it.
As with the Exponential-e HSCN Remote Access Licences, it is expected that the NWL Covid19 Primary Care group will ask the PCN Leads to confirm the priorities for which staff will receive the new laptops.
Last updated 19-03-2020 / 18:26 - DT.
-
Remote access to the clinical system from ICT-Supported GP laptop
The Sophos UTM which currently provides Remote Access for our GP Laptops, currently has over 800 people using it on a regular basis.
The IT Support team are working hard to meet the recent requests for new user names, especially with the re-built laptops now being used.
We have also received over 100 requests for password resets from users who hadn’t used the system for a while
This UTM product is not appropriate for use by personal devices
ICT are investigating a few products that could provide future access to HSCN for both ICT –supported and personal devices (BYOD), these will not be available in the short-term.
Last updated 19-03-2020 / 19:12 - DT.
-
Remote access to the clinical system from a GP’s personal computer
- Exponential-e HSCN Remote Access Licences
A product has been identified that provides the necessary safe guards, to allow a GP’s personal computer to access the clinical system, eliminating the need for a NWL provided device.
Procurement has been initiated and the on-line Tenancy is expected to be available early in w\c 23rd March. There will be an initial figure of 500 licences (@£102 each for 12 months), which can be increased – we will monitor requirements.
The NWL Covid19 Primary Care group has decided that PCN Leads are being asked to list the staff who will need licences, bearing in mind the ICT-supported laptops that each practice already has
IT will take guidance from, as to how best to distribute these to practices.
Last updated 19-03-2020 / 19:25 - DT
-
IT support resilience
As with other services we have a number of staff who are self-isolating.
The IT department has contingency plans in place to maintain the Service Desk function, in the event our staff may have to isolate and work from home.
Engineer site visits will be reduced and may become unavailable altogether for a period.
Support teams will endeavour to provide remote support and utilise couriers, wherever possible.
The Cisco VoIP technology will enable us to run the Service Desk function with staff working from home, if necessary.
When it comes to building \ rebuilding laptops, we are hopeful that we will have a sufficient compliment of staff that will be available to do this when required. We have 3rd line companies lined-up to support us.
Last updated 19-03-2020 / 19:33 - DT
-
Online / Virtual / Video Consultations
As part of patient management in response to COVID-19, a number of free video consultation tools are available to practices.
Video consultation is suggested as a follow up to telephone consultations, where deemed appropriate by clinicians.
NW London CCGs, excluding Brent, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham, are currently in the middle of procurement for online consultation solutions, therefore we advise Primary Care Networks to discuss the free solutions available and agree on the best option for their practices to use for their immediate needs. Procurement timelines are being discussed at a national level, in light of current pressures and we will update on the outcome of these discussions and the impact it will have on practices as soon as possible.
Practices across Brent, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham should expect a separate update on the roll-out of online consultations in their area.
NWL IT has not under-taken a full evaluation of these different options in respect to functionality or security, however many practices have begun to start using these successfully.
If you would like support in implementing these solutions in your practice, please log a call with the Service Desk and request support from the Primary Care Systems Team.
