New NHS Microsoft Deals, Traffic Reduction and Remote Speech Therapy

NHS transition to New and Improved Microsoft 365 System in New Partnership Deal

As we all know the NHS has been struggling financially for many years now, and at the start of the pandemic many questioned whether the NHS could service. Thankfully due to government support the NHS has been able to fight the virus and continue to provide health care to those who need it, outside of COVID-19. Microsoft have been fantastic throughout giving all NHS workers free access to Office 365 and working with universities up and down the country to help support projects within their local hospitals. This week Microsoft have announced that the NHS now has access to all Microsoft products free of charge, saving the organisation hundreds of millions of pounds. This builds on an agreement first made in 2018 to give all NHS staff access to Windows 10.

“Adopting the most up to date digital tools and operating systems are crucial for a modern-day NHS – allowing staff to work as efficiently as possible which will deliver even better care for patients. We have seen incredible, innovative uses of technology throughout the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic and this new deal with Microsoft will pave the way for that to continue by ensuring we get the basics right.” – Matt Handcock, Secretary of State.

Remote Speech Therapy with Teams and the NHS

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust are using Microsoft Teams to deliver speech therapy to patients in order to reduce contact during the Coronavirus Pandemic. With the world working remotely, these sessions are so crucial to their patients to help them communicate in video calls. These sessions are being delivered over Microsoft Teams with no expense to the NHS. The scheme was tested with 17 patients and now open to all current NHS patients on the program.

“Staff realise that Teams is quick and effective, and they’re getting the same outcomes but reducing time and pressure.” – Rebekah Davis, a Speech and Language Therapist

Not on The Road Again

With another NHS department moving over to Teams it begs the question what else is possible and how will the world change after the pandemic. Traffic levels have now risen to levels last seen in the 1980’s (BBC News) however due to people working from home it is predicted that not everyone will be returning to the office. In previous issues of your news updates we have explorer remote therapy and counselling. Many public services will now be able to go remote which means less people traveling, and less congestion. According to autofutures.tv Manchester had the 7th highest reduction in traffic on the world during lockdown at 75.65%. Some predict that traffic rate will not hit levels before lockdown until there is a considerable population growth in the UK. So for those who are returning to the office this summer, the morning rush hour is looking to be a little less stressful.