TNP approved for HSCN health sector procurement11/12/2017
Public sector networks specialist TNP is approved as one of the elite companies connecting health trusts and care providers to the new Health and Social Care Data Network (HSCN), set up by the Government to securely share information.
Lancaster-based TNP (The Networking People (Northwest) Ltd) has completed a rigorous process to become an approved HSCN supplier alongside major multi-national companies.
HSCN data network has been designed and built by NHS Digital in partnership with suppliers and customers, as a single interoperable ‘network of networks’ provided by multiple suppliers such as TNP and employing common and open standards. It replaces the N3 which was a single-supplier service, primarily designed for NHS providers to access national applications.
HSCN aims to connect the health and social care system through a highly reliable private network and security enhanced internet from a choice of suppliers.
Ian Anderson, Solutions Architect with TNP, explains: “A key element within the HSCN strategy is reducing duplication and improving collaboration between health and social care organisations by enabling them to reuse and share existing network infrastructure and services. That echoes TNP’s own flexible and innovative approach to networks which enables public sector organisations to retain and adapt existing infrastructure where appropriate, while maximising network effectiveness.
TNP has extensive experience working with health trusts and other public sector organisations to rationalise and improve their networking capabilities, and we are proud to be in the first wave of suppliers chosen for HSCN.
Health and social care providers can access services and share information more reliably, flexibly and efficiently through HSCN, regardless of their location or network supplier. They also have the option of creating shared networks to deliver integrated ICT services across organisational boundaries.
Ian adds: “Organisations within the UK’s health and social care network have been tasked with more effectively sharing information and getting better value from their ICT activities. The new network is designed to help achieve these aims, and we have the knowledge and experience to create more efficient and cost-effective networking capabilities.”