Case Study: Nottingham University Hospitals
Industry: Health Service
Main Location: Nottingham
Nottingham University Hospitals embrace High Definition Videoconferencing using LifeSize systems supplied and supported by Questmark.
“The support we have received from Questmark in demonstrating possible uses for High Definition video communications within the Trust and working with the many clinical disciplines to help determine the viability of using this technology in new ways represents the partnership approach we at NUH prefer from our suppliers”
Rob Hall. ICT Department
Introduction to the Trust
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest in the UK with an annual budget of more than £500 million. It was formed when two top-rated trusts – Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital – merged in order to develop a range of high-quality, sustainable patient services across the two campuses. As a major teaching Trust, NUH enjoys close links with the city’s universities and attracts and develops the highest calibre of staff. It continues to be the hospital of choice for patients, encourage investment and remain at the forefront of research. It has one of the busiest emergency departments in theUKand has a total of 2,200 hospital beds across both campuses.
Limitations to Older Video Conferencing Systems
The Trust has been a user of videoconferencing systems for many years and has developed extensive experience in the use of this technology in a number of administrative and clinical applications.
The quality of videoconferencing and information sharing that has been available in the industry for the last 15 years has allowed the Trust to deploy and use systems in different areas, but it has been recognised that limited quality has restricted the extent of the possible uses for video communications systems. The Trust has continually been looking for ways to address these limitations.
Realising the Potential of High Definition
With the introduction of High Definition systems from LifeSize at the beginning of 2006 it appeared that more could be achieved with this technology.
Major New Projects
One recent development within the combined Trust has been the opening of a new state-of-the-art centre for the treatment of blood disease. The unit, which was the first in the UK to receive European (JACIE) accreditation as a centre of excellence in bone marrow transplantation, will herald in a new era of modern facilities for patients. from Nottingham and beyond. The £10 million building, which is one of the largest units of its kind in the country, is based at Nottingham University Hospitals’ City Hospital Campus. It unites adult clinical haematology services from theCityHospitaland QMC campuses, bringing all the local specialist expertise together under one roof. Staff will offer a full range of clinical and support services for people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, sickle cell disease and bone marrow transplantation.
Following extensive research and testing by the Trust the first HD systems have been supplied and introduced into this Centre by local specialist videoconferencing reseller and LifeSize partner, Questmark Limited.
Why work with Questmark?
“Questmark has engaged with the Trust in a number of development areas and participates in regular ICT workshops and seminars at the Post Graduate Education Centre. These sessions include representation from a wide range of clinical disciplines from across the Trust” says Mr Rob Hall from the Trust’s ICT Department. “The support we have received from Questmark in demonstrating possible uses for High Definition videocommunications within the Trust and working with the many clinical disciplines to help determine the viability of using this technology in new ways represents the partnership approach we at NUH prefer from our suppliers” continues Rob, “they are also an NHS IT Catalogue contractor which reflects their suitability as a supplier to the Trust”.
Putting Video to Practical Uses
“The quality of the video and audio along with the ability to share clinical information at much higher quality than has been available in the past, through the LifeSize systems is incredible. It has to be seen by the Clinicians to understand the extent of its potential uses in Health” says Rob.
The Trust deployed its first LifeSize system into the new centre. This is a high specification, high profile centre for this discipline which intrinsically demands High Definition imaging and communications.
Continued Support and Advancing the Growth of Video in Healthcare
Stephen Bell, Health Sector Manager for Questmark comments, “we are pleased to engage with one of the UK’s leading NHS establishments in a collaborative and cooperative manner to explore ways in which High Definition systems can bring more benefit to both administrative and clinical operations in Healthcare. The step up in performance that has been developed by LifeSize will clearly support many new applications for video communications in Healthcare. We would like to thank Rob and all in the Trust who have worked with us over the months to help find the initial applications and we will continue to support them through the delivery of these for the benefit of all in the Trust and the people using the health services delivered by NUH”.
Professor Nigel Russell, Associate Clinical Director for clinical haematology services, concludes: “We are delighted to see this centre open after many years of planning to make sure we get the best facilities possible. Patients will benefit from some of the newest technology available in terms of equipment and infection control facilities, and the most skilled and experienced staff, all brought together under one roof so that we can continue to develop as a centre of excellence.”