Yorkshire business launches division to help NHS phase out pagers

Harrogate-based firm Intechnology has established a new division to supply clinical communication tools to NHS trusts.

STORM Intelligent Communications provides instant communication services for mobile devices with a focus on workforce management.

These include instant voice communication, instant messaging, video and image sharing, location and SOS alerting capabilities.

STORM is a UK reseller of technologies developed in Israel by sister company Mobile Tornado, which are deployed in more than 30 countries worldwide with mobile operators, governments and enterprises.

These are available via specialised rugged handset or smartphone application for Android and iOS operating systems and cellular or WiFi networks.

The NHS wants new technology to save staff time and share patient information quickly and securely.

The Health Secretary has said the Covid-19 pandemic accelerates the need to phase out pagers and historic bleep systems.

STORM has partnered with sister company Inhealthcare to offer full ‘interoperability’ with all major NHS systems.

It means users can exchange and make use of information between different IT systems within an NHS trust.

Inhealthcare is a UK pioneer in digital health and remote care services. Its platform is currently used to deliver more than 100 commissioned NHS services to 400,000 patients across the UK.

Luke Wilkinson, director of STORM, said: “We have seen through the coronavirus crisis the challenges faced by many organisations with their communications systems.

“By bringing together the proven capabilities of Mobile Tornado and Inhealthcare, Storm is extremely well placed to transform the way that team members communicate with each other within NHS trusts and overcome any interoperability issues.

“Organisations and individuals will be able to connect one-to-one or one-to-many and share useful information at the touch of a button. This will free up time for clinical and operational staff, streamline support for patients and speed up transfers of care.”

Intechnology, which was founded by Peter Wilkinson and is the parent company of Storm, Mobile Tornado and Inhealthcare, has now won a place on a multi-million pound NHSX framework to supply clinical communication tools for NHS trusts.