1. Video Conferencing with N3
Save time and money, improve patient care and help to save the planet
Many Trusts are already using video conferencing and are seeing savings in time and money, as well as
improved clinical outcomes for patients. Subscribing to the N3 Managed Video Conferencing Service will give
all the benefits of existing systems with the addition of a national NHS directory, 24/7 helpdesk, free calls* and
an easy-to-use on-line booking system.
Save time
Video conferencing enables you to share information immediately, without the need for everyone to be in
the same place. Clinicians and specialists from different hospitals can share information virtually and review
patient cases, thus saving time. In turn, the patients benefit from wider expertise, knowledge transfer between
clinicians and they can be diagnosed faster. Cancer Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) already using video
conferencing typically save around 15,000 hours of staff time each year, with one third of that time being
Consultant time.
Save money
N3 Managed Video Conferencing Service will save the NHS money on two counts. Firstly, because it’s built into
the network each Trust doesn’t have to buy expensive bridge equipment to enable the service. Secondly, it will
reduce travel costs for Trusts because clinicians and other staff will not have to travel to meetings. For patients
there is a reduced need to travel to see a specialist as the specialist can view patient information remotely with
local clinicians and agree a treatment plan. And since PACs and other digital images can be shared virtually,
there’s no need to send CD-ROMs containing patient data. Video conferencing could save the NHS over £13.9
Video Conferencing with N3
million a year in travel costs**.
Improving patient care
Video conferencing enables patients at clinics to have easy access to expert diagnostic opinion from consultants
working elsewhere. So a GP’s surgery can have virtual face-to-face access to consultants in an A&E department,
or surgeons can conduct procedures locally knowing that experts are on hand remotely and those experts are
able to see the operation. One of the Trusts using the N3 network to link local facilities with main centres of
expertise carried out nearly 400 angioplasty procedures in this way last year, where previously the patients
would have had to wait and then travel to London.
And help to save the planet
The NHS generates more CO2 than any other UK public
sector organisation - 21 million tonnes each year – and
the NHS Sustainable Development Unit is aiming to
reduce this by 10% by 2015. If 5% of all meetings were
done by video conferencing, the NHS would save 6,827
tonnes of CO2 a year**
How does video conferencing from N3 work?
The N3 Managed Video Conferencing Service is simple to set-up (there’s one common NHS platform with no
expensive infrastructure to purchase) and easy-to-use (supported by 24/7 online and telephone help when you
need it). There are two versions of service, the Managed Service which is designed for regular users - there is a
one off set up charge and an annual fee for each end point. You get a fully supported service including access
to Engage Meeting Manager which is an easy-to-use on line call booking system. The Pay As You Go (PAYG)
service is designed for occasional users (less than 45 mins a month) of video conferencing. You will pay a one
off set up fee and a per minute charge for each end point.

2. What are the service features and benefits?
Available on the
Feature Benefits PAYG Full
service service
Engage Meeting The easy-to-use (it takes just 3 steps) online tool for booking and
Manager – scheduling your meetings. At the time of the meeting, the call will
N Y
Online booking have automatically launched so you don’t even have to learn to use
the remote control.
Central directory Giving you easy access to all NHS N3 registered video conferencing
N Y
units. Your meeting across trusts is just a click away.
Bridge Inside With the bridge already located inside the N3 network (meaning no
Core Network additional costs to you), the bridge will host multipoint and mixed Y Y
IP/ISDN calls securely.
Remote Video end points are constantly monitored and equipment
equipment proactively maintained to ensure everything is in working order N Y
monitoring when you need it.
24/7/365 Direct access to video experts around the clock, giving you total
helpdesk peace of mind for your investment. Y Y
support
Central ISDN With no need to rent your own ISDN lines, this feature enables you
breakout to continue communications with other users still on ISDN while
Y Y
you use N3. NB – “Guests” joining N3VC calls will still pay their own
ISDN charges.
Unlimited Point As a subscriber of the N3 service, calls over the N3 network are free.
to Point and There is also unlimited access to the bridge which means that you
Y Y
Multipoint Calls can make the most of your video assets and gain a real return on
investment.
Quality of Dedicated bandwidth and QoS over N3 to ensure you get the
Y Y
Service (QoS) perfect picture and sound quality.
Video Conferencing with N3
Video You can now procure video end points at very competitive prices
equipment through the N3 catalogue saving you time and the cost of a tender Y Y
provision process.
Potential uses for N3 Managed Video Conferencing
• Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings like within Cancer Networks or Stroke and thrombosis
• Remote consultations including neurology, A&E, mental health, neo-natal
• Distance learning. Learn new surgery techniques and effectively deliver courses with strong
visual elements
• Remote monitoring, for example in paediatrics, stroke management and rehabilitation
• Staff recruitment and appraisals. Interview potential staff and students remotely
• Support staff and informatics meetings
• Sign-language interpretation
What next?
To find out more about subscribing to the N3 Managed Video Conferencing Services, go to:
www.n3.nhs.uk/videoconferencing or contact the N3 Conferencing helpdesk on 0800 085 0503 option 3.
*Video conferencing calls are free over the N3 network.
**Data from “Saving Carbon Improving Health” NHS Sustainability Development Unit
British Telecommunications plc
Registered Office: 81 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AJ
PHME 59636
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