Vodafone UK provides connectivity for Glasgow's Louisa Jordan Hospital

Vodafone has significantly boosted the capacity of its internal network at the temporary NHSScotland Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow’s Scottish Events Campus (SEC), which opened in April to treat coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

In five days, Vodafone installed an enhanced in-building network that will allow up to 1,000 patients to carry out video and voice calls with family and friends.

At the same time, Vodafone provided a secure, dedicated data connection to give access to central NHS systems so that staff can access the same information as if they were working in a permanent hospital.

Today’s announcement builds on Vodafone’s ongoing support for the NHS during the current health crisis. In addition to the support provided to NHSScotland, this includes:

providing connectivity for a number of other temporary hospitals treating patients with COVID-19, including the London Nightingale Hospital;
equipping ‘specialist pods’ with communications for patients in quarantine;
installing fast broadband connectivity at hospitals in the North East of England; and
establishing more than 3,000 Wi-Fi connections for the NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit in 24 hours.

Vodafone also recently doubled the capacity of the NHS 111 telephone advice service and extended its free unlimited mobile data offering to NHS workers registered to its network.

Vodafone UK’s Chief Technology Officer Scott Petty said: “Keeping the UK connected during this health crisis has never been more important. Our engineers are doing a fantastic job, often in the face of adversity, to bring temporary hospitals online in just a few days when it would normally take a number of weeks.

“We also are adapting our network constantly and have more than doubled 4G capacity to ensure both health workers and patients are able to keep in touch with loved ones during the lockdown.”

Chief Executive of NHS Louisa Jordan, Jill Young, said: “It took just over two weeks to design, construct and mobilise NHS Louisa Jordan. This was only possible thanks to all of our contractors and suppliers working around the clock to make sure we are ready to support the NHS in Scotland.

“We know that it is not only essential that people are able to stay in contact with their loved ones but that we are able to offer the same safe, effective and high quality care you would receive at any other hospital.

“Thanks to the amazing work and support of Vodafone, these systems are now in place across our site. On behalf of the entire NHS team, I would like to say a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Vodafone for their involvement and remarkable contribution to the delivery of our hospital.”

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Notes to editors