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Cancer specialist transforms critical patient records access

Citrix-based system from Centralis provides secure remote working while protecting sensitive patient information

August 21, 2008

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust has implemented an innovative secure remote working solution to provide access to vital information across existing sites and new cancer units.

The trailblazing cancer specialist worked with Centralis, the UK’s leading application virtualisation consultancy to develop a highly resilient, web-based remote access system based on a Citrix environment. This will enable healthcare staff at the new Sir William Rous Unit at Kingston Hospital, which is jointly run by Kingston, The Royal Marsden and Macmillan Cancer Support, to have access to Royal Marsden applications and outpatient information, and also allow the Trust’s clinicians to access data securely from remote locations.

Centralis designed a centralised bespoke solution to support the Trust’s objective to deliver better healthcare, closer to home and widen patient choice on where they receive treatment.

The system is designed with security layers based on levels of user access and device recognition. This ensures that sensitive patient records remain protected at all times, and enables the Trust to meet critical security targets set out by the NHS. Additionally, the system enables clinicians to view files such as X-rays at high graphical quality, without traffic overburdening existing networks at The Royal Marsden and Kingston sites.

Strategic plans for a remote access system have been in place since xx but a fire at the Trust’s Chelsea site in January 2008, where surgeons needed to access information from nearby hospitals, accelerated the process. The Trust will instigate a staggered roll out of the system to 30 initial users and aims to have 150 live users in the next three years.

Executive quote

“The quality of patient care provided by The Royal Marsden and its partners is world-class, and it is only right that this is supported by the most effective and resilient IT systems,” said Ewen Anderson, director, Centralis. “Although the Chelsea fire was not the trigger for implementing a remote access system, it highlighted the need for surgeons and clinicians to be able to view essential information from a variety of locations to continue to deliver the very best care to patients. In a very short space of time the system has moved from proof of concept to NHS best practice.”

Customer quote

“Previously, enabling healthcare professionals at new sites such as Kingston to have access to Royal Marsden applications was a time-consuming, complex and arduous process,” said Jon Reed, Director of Information Communication Technology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. “By working in close partnership with Centralis, we’ve been able to create a secure remote environment that enables clinicians to have access to the applications they require, but at the same time enforce the highest level of security for confidential patient records.”

About the company

The Royal Marsden Hospital was the first hospital in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research into the causes of cancer. Today the hospital with its academic partner, The Institute of Cancer Research, forms the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe with over 40,000 patients from the UK and abroad seen each year. A world leader in research, drug trialling and diagnostics, The Royal Marsden provides inpatient, day care and outpatient services for all areas of cancer treatment.

The William Rous Unit opened its doors in June and patients can now receive chemotherapy treatment and be seen by Royal Marsden specialists at Kingston Hospital.

www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk

About Centralis
Centralis provides customers with services and software designed around the company’s core message of Simplify, Standardise, Centralise™.

Formed in 1996, Centralis combines consultancy, managed services and support with the resale of selected software products.

Centralis is the only UK company certified Citrix Platinum Solution Advisor, Microsoft Gold Partner, VMware Enterprise Partner, WYSE Premier Partner and Thinstall Platinum Partner and is well placed to provide independent, expert advice on agile and efficient IT solutions.

Specialising in delivering applications to their point of use, Centralis solutions range from reducing the cost of owning and deploying the client device, to the provision of flexible access solutions for desk-based and mobile workers, through to centralised application and service delivery. Key customers include BUPA, Cardiff University, Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Standard Life

Centralis remains independent, and wholly owned by employee shareholders.

Contact details

Account Manager at LEWIS, the PR agency:

Telephone: 0161 601 7740

Email: centralis@lewispr.com

Website: www.lewispr.com

Technorati tags: Centralis | Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust | Citrix | virtualisation |

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