London, 10th January 2022: LINK Mobility UK is excited to announce it has won a place on NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Patient/Citizen Communications & Engagement Solutions procurement framework.

Created in 2004 by the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver corporate services to the NHS, and a unique joint venture with Sopra Steria – a European leader in digital services and software development, NHS SBS makes life easier for NHS employees, patients and suppliers, and delivers value for money to the taxpayer.

The Patient/Citizen Communications & Engagement framework, which runs from 01 Nov 2021 – 31 Oct 2023 (with option to extend to 2025) is designed to enhance the interactions between healthcare providers and citizens, ensuring all patients receive reminders, alerts and support when needed. As such, the framework will let any NHS or public sector organization procure communication services from approved providers such as LINK Mobility.

In particular, the framework gives healthcare organizations the full confidence that they will be working with compliant, efficient providers that use robust systems and processes.

Benoit Bole, Chief Operating Officer for the Western Europe region at LINK Mobility, says that this framework award will help bring innovation to NHS & Public Sector organisations: “Innovation in digital healthcare solutions, including mobile messaging platforms and software, has exploded over the last two years. As such, the adoption of new messaging tools such as SMS and WhatsApp can and will play an important part in streamlining the interactions patients have with the NHS.

As a result, healthcare providers will be able to confirm appointments, send reminders and manage queries in a timely way using messaging services patients use in their daily lives. Delivering services in this way is also better for the planet and will save significant sums of money not just in time but also the overheads associated to sending letters and managing missed appointments and forgotten paperwork.”

Adam Nickerson, senior category manager of digital and IT at NHS SBS, adds: “The coronavirus pandemic has added to the complexity of patient appointments and waiting lists. Our Patient/Citizen Communication & Engagement Solutions Framework is designed to respond to the need within the NHS for better pre and post appointment communications, to reduce the backlog of urgent appointments and improve the patient journey, pathway and care.

“Replacing the Communications, Appointments, Reminders & Alerts framework, this revised agreement is for the supply of communication methods to engage with patients, citizens and the workforce across NHS organisations and wider public sector bodies. It provides access to market leading communication tools encompassing alerts, reminders and appointment technology that support healthcare professionals to deliver effective and efficient clinical care.

“Critically, with appointment solutions on offer, encompassing traditional communication methods like phone, mail, email and SMS, alongside appointment technology via digital first communication channels, such as patient self-service booking solutions, the framework ensures organisations can be more inclusive of patient preferences by offering them a greater number of ways in which they can interact, make and respond to medical appointments. In addition, NHS trusts can use the framework to commission Friends and Family Test surveys to understand whether patients are happy with the service provided, or where improvements are needed.”

For more information on how LINK Mobility can help your business or public sector organization please use the Contact Us sidebar to arrange for a call with one of our messaging experts.

About NHS Shared Business Services

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) was created in 2004 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to deliver corporate services to the NHS. A unique joint venture with Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital services and software development, it makes life easier for NHS employees, patients and suppliers, and delivers value for money to the taxpayer.

Proud members of the NHS family, NHS SBS provides finance & accounting, procurement and workforce services to more than half the NHS in England. Sharing common values and unity of purpose with the rest of the NHS family, its solutions are underpinned by cutting-edge technologies and the teams’ expertise, in-depth understanding of the NHS, and commitment to service excellence.