Dialling into the Future: Innovate's Cloud Telephony Success

Innovate is proud to announce the successful completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Advanced Cloud-Based Telephony (ACBT) project across Coventry & Warwickshire. This pioneering project has been instrumental in enhancing telephony services within Primary Care practices by transitioning to a state-of-the-art Internet Protocol (IP) technology-based, cloud-hosted solution.

The new telephony system uses the internet to handle calls, which is a modern approach compared to the old analogue system that relied on physical phone lines. This internet-based system, known as 'cloud-hosting,' keeps all necessary data online, making it not only more dependable but also easier to manage and update.

The project, which aligns with NHS England’s Better Purchasing Framework (BPf), has been a proactive move in anticipation of the analogue service switch-off in 2027. With Phase 2 concluding in June, the project has seen the successful transition of practices from low-quality cloud services to the new BPf NHS-led contracts. The next step is a large-scale migration of practices using Surgery Connect telephony onto BPf contracts, expected to be finalised by Autumn.

The ACBT project has involved 120 practices and their branch sites across Coventry & Warwickshire, significantly raising Innovate's profile across the region as well as in areas where our presence was previously more limited.

Nigel Brook, Associate Director for Digital Transformation (Out of Hospital & Primary Care), has praised the project's success, stating: "The completion of the ACBT project's initial phases is a milestone for digital healthcare. By implementing cloud-hosted, IP technology-based telephony, we've enhanced the communication systems' reliability and efficiency, fostering a more interconnected healthcare infrastructure.

“However, this project is not just about technological enhancement; it's about empowering GP practices with the tools they need to provide better care. The dedication of all parties involved has been instrumental in achieving this milestone, and it's rewarding to see the positive impact on the practices' operations.”

As Innovate looks ahead, we're excited about the possibilities this opens for further improving patient care through digital innovation.