Bridgeway Security Solutions, a leading UK information security partner, has launched its Phones for Patients initiative, which aims to distribute tens of thousands of securely reprovisioned mobile devices to UK hospitals and care homes, so that patients and residents can keep in touch with their loved ones during the lockdown.
During the UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown, all patient visits to hospitals and care homes have been suspended. Many patients are being admitted to hospitals without their mobile phone or charger, and the majority of care home residents rely on face-to-face visits and typically don’t own a mobile device. As a result, the lockdown has cut many patients off from their loved ones, at a time when many are most in need of love and support from those close to them.
Phones for Patients aims to bridge this communication gap by providing patients with the devices they need to stay in touch. Bridgeway will collect mobile devices, chargers and cables donated by organisations and individuals, and the devices are then securely prepared for donation. All existing data and applications are wiped, devices are enrolled into secure mobile device management, and communication apps, such as FaceTime, Zoom and WhatsApp, are installed on the devices. To speed up the device preparation process, Bridgeway is using 12 managed USB hubs, donated by Cambridge-based, Cambrionix, which make it easy to charge, connect and synch multiple mobile devices simultaneously.
After preparation, the devices are deployed, for free, to participating NHS organisations and care homes for use by patients during their stay. The first NHS recipients of donated devices from Phones for Patients will be Camden and Islington NHS FT, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, South Tees Hospitals NHS FT, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS FT and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS FT. Other interested trusts and care homes are encouraged to join the initiative.
Jason Holloway, Managing Director at Bridgeway and Founder of the Phones for Patients initiative, said: “We recognise the devastating impact that being cut off from loved ones during such a challenging time has on hospital patients and care home residents across the UK. This is why we have launched this free initiative, and the whole team at Bridgeway is dedicating their work and spare time to make this happen. The first donations have been kindly pledged by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Services and Torbay Council. We have already secured donations of nearly 4,000 devices, with more being pledged in coming days. If any organisation has recently upgraded its mobile fleets, we urge it to donate the devices to Phones for Patients, where they can really make a difference to peoples’ lives.”
Iain O’Neil, Digital Transformation Director at NHSX, said: “Innovation that supports sometimes the simplest but most essential things in life, like helping us all stay in touch, are so important right now. The technology sector continues to share ideas and initiatives designed to support people during this crisis and I commend such efforts in such difficult times.”
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