NHS case study
"How Fernhart helped the NHS Confederation pull together 200 staff members across europe and the UK, making it easier for them to share information, communicate and schedule dates and activities - whilst still retaining the personal feel of a small organisation."
The project...
To help the rapidly burgeoning NHS Confederation improve internal communications and give users a consolidated network, enabling greater efficiency and ease of use, as well as providing a personal point of contact between staff members in various locations.
The solution...
The design and implementation of an attractive, friendly, easy-to-use intranet site, FedNet, using SharePoint 2007 MOSS supported by other relevant applications.
The results...
A far more effective way of managing documents and a cohesive internal communications voice.
The need to establish a connection
The NHS Confederation is the independent membership body for the full range of organisations that make up the modern NHS. The Confederation helps its members to improve health and patient care by influencing policy, supporting leaders through networking, sharing information and learning and promoting excellence in employment.
"The NHS Confederation has expanded very quickly," said Cara McDonagh, the Confederation's Senior Web Manager. "It has grown from one office in London with a staff of 40, to include a second office in London, one in Leeds, and one in Brussels that advises on EU issues. That's a total employment figure of around 200 people. As a result, we needed something that connected everyone within the organisation, so that information could be shared easily and quickly across all locations - but we still wanted to retain the feel of a small organisation."
In June 2007, Fernhart was appointed to work with the NHS Confederation to design and implement an intranet site that would allow this to happen.
Striking design coupled with technological expertise
As a full-service new media consultancy, Fernhart uses its significant technological experience to both advise clients on the organisational changes inspired and required by digital technology, as well as producing effective and innovative design to enhance users' experiences.
Cara McDonagh commented, "There are many companies specialising in new media. What made us choose Fernhart is their design capability. The solution they produced for us is very exciting, striking and unique, and a very good representation of our brand."
Over a six-month period, Fernhart worked with the NHS Confederation to design and implement FedNet, the intranet site that brings together all the elements of the information sharing, document management and internal communications using the brand new SharePoint 2007 MOSS application.
SharePoint 2007 combines an advanced document management system, communication, process and workflow platforms, and a rapid development environment in one powerful application to boost efficiency and effectiveness.
A step-by-step approach
Fernhart used a project team approach and held a one-on-one weekly meeting with staff at the Confederation to make sure the right solution ticked every box on the brief.
"Communication was very good; this was the easiest project I've ever worked on," reports Cara. "The Fernhart team were brilliant; they really enjoyed working on FedNet and were very enthusiastic and passionate about what they were doing."
"Once we decided what we wanted, it was rolled out in one go. We didn't have to test different parts and implement it bit by bit. FedNet came to life very quickly and was immediately very simple to understand and use."
Bringing it all together
One of the most important benefits is that it has enabled the cascade of information to be done much more effectively. All document management has been brought together so there is immediate access to items like HR policies, and personnel know that they have all the most up-to-date information. A searchable staff directory makes it easy to identify who's who and what their responsibilities are. Also included is a corporate calendar, so users can see immediately what is happening and when.
"As far as internal communication is concerned, it has been very beneficial," says Cara McDonagh. "We now have a cohesive internal communications voice."
Each member of staff has personal space on FedNet too. This not only allows them to contribute to the site and create content, it also allows staff to put up personal details. As Cara McDonagh said, "This was an important consideration for us. Despite the rapid growth of the organisation, this element means we are still quite intimate in terms of a social organisation."
Just what the doctor ordered
Although it's very early days, the feedback has been extremely positive.
A solution of this kind had been planned for a number of years, and Cara McDonagh admitted, "Staff expected it to fail. However, now it's up and running, it has actually far exceeded expectations. Fernhart even suggested putting on a direct link to transport for London, to give staff the latest news on how the tube is running. This has proved very popular."
She concludes, "All in all, the design and implementation of FedNet has been a resounding success."
Download a PDF of the full case study here (376kb)
Future remedies
Plans are in place to further develop document management, and start a discussion forum. The NHS Confederation also want to grow the online forms so staff can book annual leave online or request new IT equipment.
The SharePoint 2007 MOSS has worked so well that moves are underway to use this application for two websites: www.nhsemployers.org and nhsconfed.org, the main NHS Confederation site.
Fernhart has applied the same level of professional expertise, leading-edge thinking and one-to-one contact to many businesses, using many technological solutions. For more information about these projects, or to find out how Fernhart could turn new media into new avenues of profitability for your business, please contact us today.
Call +44 (0)20 8296 1020
Email: theteam@fernhart.com