Benefits The NHS Need To Know About Smart Lockers
Elliot Bibby
Increasingly smart lockers are being installed within the Health Sector, saving both staff time and money.
There are multitude of ways which smart lockers can help in the NHS, from streamlining support workflows to patient access of digital services. We investigate three of the keyways the NHS use Smart Lockers to improve their services.
Loaning Shared Devices
-
Loaning Shared Devices
-
24/7 Access
-
Remote support
Loaning Shared Devices Allowing members of staff to borrow devices freely throughout hospitals is a huge benefit. In addition, giving clinical staff access to mobile devices allows them to perform their job role without being restricted by location. With smart lockers staff can help themselves to a device at a time and place that is convenient for them.
Loaning shared assets means users can collect a device, use it, and then return it to the locker, ready for the next person. This creates a flexible workspace, negating any downtime and creating increased access.
Loaning is not just for the staff!
Some NHS facilities use the lockers to provide patients with access to their digital services.
Patients can be allocated a specific device using unique codes or allow them to access the device they choose. Allowing digital access is an amazing feature that helps to improve the patients experience.
We have already seen installations going into: clinician’s lunch areas, Medical Training Centres, Service Desks and Receptions, as well as on wards across hospital sites.
24 / 7 Access
Smart lockers can provide Service Desk resources outside of office hours, without the need for staff intervention.
With NHS staff being on-the-go all day and night, the need for 24/7 access to devices is crucial, for example ambulance staff would need devices throughout their night shift.
Smart Lockers act as the service desk outside of office hours, providing a self-service solution to borrow a fully charged devices for the duration of their shift.
Remote Support
When providing support across multiple sites it can be hard to provide a streamlined service with fast and efficient turnaround.
When a call is placed to the Service Desk, the IT technician has a responsibility to get the user back to work as quickly as possible.
Traditionally the IT technician would have to make an on-site visit to repair or replace the device before returning to the hub.
With smart lockers users can swap the broken device with a replacement, getting them back to work quickly, all whilst the IT technician remains at their desk. The IT technician can then schedule a non-urgent visit to the site later to replenish the lockers.
In some instances, the IT technician can use the lockers to connect into the broken device to perform diagnostics and repairs remotely.
These workflows will save engineer call outs, reduce the time and cost spent on courier services, and decreases down time for staff and users across the organisation.
We are showcasing our products at the NHS Providers Show in Liverpool on 15th & 16th November 2023. Come and visit us at stand 38 to find out more on how we can save you time and money with our smart locker solutions.
Check out the self-service product page here
For more information can 0800 130 3456