NHS Digital have reached an agreement with Isosec to accelerate the funding and deployment of their Virtual Smartcards across NHS organisations that need them. The enhanced availability of the smartcards, a form of clinician authentication, will help NHS workers to remain connected and able to work securely and efficiently throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

WHY IT MATTERS

Access to Virtual Smartcards will help facilitate more seamless remote working, particularly important as increasing numbers of NHS staff come into contact with the virus and will have to self-isolate. As such, Isosec are updating their technologies to ensure that the smartcards can accommodate self-enrolment across several devices and platforms, further easing the transition to home-working where appropriate.

The Virtual Smartcards are also linked in with all major EPR systems and have ePrescribing capabilities.

Unlike physical smartcards, Virtual Smartcards streamline the authentication process, enabling multiple clinicians to be verified at the same time instead of having to undergo a singular, time-consuming manual process. They also eliminate issues of loss, poor information governance and the cost of specialist production equipment.

THE LARGER PICTURE

Because of the COVID-19 emergency, there has been an influx of temporary health workers into the NHS, either from agencies or retired clinicians returning to the workforce. Although an essential part of the effort against the virus, the NHS must ensure that data safety and security is not compromised in this unprecedented time.

Other health tech companies have stepped up to help with this, such as the partnership of Patchwork.Health and Truu ID who are accelerating initial staff verification.

ON THE RECORD

Nic Fox, CCO at NHS Digital said: “Whilst we can print thousands of temporary access [physical smartcards] per day, there are scenarios where Virtual Smartcards can aide the speed of deployment, particularly across a wide geography, and are more suited to some environments. We recognise the demand for Virtual Smartcards is increasing to accommodate requirements for authentication in VDI and complex IT ecosystems and are pleased that Isosec are able to offer this service.”

CEO at Isosec Michael Latimer commented: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the team at NHS Digital for the benefit of the wider NHS. This agreement with NHS Digital will help ensure fast availability and deployment of Isosec Virtual Smartcards to any NHS organisations that need them to support their Covid-19 response. Right now, our only focus is on delivery of Virtual Smartcards to our NHS customers in a time of unparalleled demand.”