The IGSoC commits an organisation to implementing an Information Security Management System to ensure that it complies with legal requirements, principally the Data Protection Act, and with requirements of the NHS to safeguard the confidentiality of patient identifiable data. In return the organisation can connect to NHS digital services via N3. Companies who receive approval go through a rigorous process as well as supplying full supporting documentation.
Voice Connect provide a range of phone services to GPs, including their most popular product, Patient Partner, an automated appointment booking service for GPs’ surgeries that enables patients to make, rearrange or cancel their appointments around the clock, seven days a week. “We were delighted to be awarded the IGSoC,” comments Stefan Olsberg, Managing Director of Voice Connect. “The company will now have access to N3 connections, so that we can support Patient Partner through a direct broadband connection to the NHS. This means that we will be able to further improve the service that we offer our customers in GPs’ practices nationwide.”
The accreditation is renewed annually and complements the ISO 9001 which enables Voice Connect to supply the public sector. “We have long been market leaders in supplying telecoms to both the public and private sectors.” comments Olsberg. “This latest accreditation further strengthens our position as a trusted NHS supplier of choice.”
The ISO 9001 accreditation is awarded on a three yearly basis with annual surveillance visits, whilst the NHS state that they will audit 10 % of commercial third party suppliers each year to ensure that security standards are being met.