02 July 2008
Jersey General Hospital has switched over to the States Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone system. The switchover happened on 1st July, as part of a programme of cost efficiencies introduced by the States in 2006.
Most States buildings are already on the VOIP system, which uses the internal computer network and means any calls between States offices are free. It’s estimated this system will save the organisation around half a million pounds a year when it’s fully implemented across all departments.
It has taken longer to integrate the hospital into the system because of the different technical needs of its switchboard and the emergency services, but those difficulties have now been resolved and the system went live on 1st July at 7pm.
One of Information Services’ senior managers, Paul Carpenter says; “This is a significant milestone and is the culmination of many months of work by a number of people from different areas. It’s also the result of close co-operation between the VOIP Project Team, Health and Social Services Management, the ISD Health Business Support Group, and Jersey Telecom.”
The team has fully tested the new system and expects no significant problems, but there are contingency plans in place both for the systems changeover and for on-going operation. A team will be on site to help Health and Social Services staff today (Wednesday) and further support will continue to be available as necessary.
Staff have been trained and experts will be on hand to help, but callers may need to be patient in the first few days while staff get used to a new system.
Emergency calls are unaffected by this change.
The VOIP Project Team is now working with the Police, Ambulance and Fire Services to work on switching their departments to the new system later this year.
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2 July 2008
Notes to editors –
For more information please call Paul Carpenter on 448282
The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone system was announced in the 2006 Business Plan and is being introduced across the States as an efficiency measure.
The system significantly reduces annual telephone spend on calls, line rental, equipment and system maintenance.
gov.je