Over ten days ago we identified the challenge in Lewisham and across the five other boroughs in South East London, of the huge number of our staff expected to self-isolate or be taken ill with Covid-19. We realised we needed to manage the anticipated influx of calls from all our patients by (1) enabling frontline NHS staff to work remotely, and (2) having the ability to redirect calls to hub sites in response to COVID-19 crisis.

After an hour’s conversation that Saturday afternoon with Afshin - Director Public Sector & Unified Platforms, we mapped out the frontline operational requirements. This resulted in the speedy mobilisation of Exponential-e resources to equip our staff with Unified Messaging and Cloud Telephony. All of this occurred within an one week timeframe, which is exceptional. We are now live in Lewisham with circa 1,000 front line staff, and we are currently on boarding many more front line staff in the other South East London boroughs.

This plus other digital investments will mean we are well placed in Primary Care to meet the challenges on our NHS from this Covid-19 Pandemic.