Healthcare sector procurement is progressively changing and N3 is “end of life”. This is actively being replaced by The Health and Social Care Network (HSCN). This is a very exciting development for the health and social care sectors – it should really allow connected organisations to transform the way they communicate and collaborate with each other and fits with the vision promoted in NHS England’s Five Year Forward View.
A real focus on cloud and next-generation technology for communications has identified a need for change in the way the healthcare sector is selecting and considering their communications services. This focus was sparked in 2013 by the Government’s Cloud First initiative.
A suite of HSCN compliant data connections, from a single broadband connection to an MPLS network, can now be procured from a range of accredited and reputable providers who are able to offer expert guidance and fully managed solutions, tailored to the industry. This active, vibrant and competitive marketplace is resulting in reduced costs (certainly compared to N3!) and higher bandwidths for connected health and social care organisations to really focus on digitally transforming the way they deliver services and work together.