Provision Systems (UK) Ltd is a successful digital programme provider to the NHS and broadcasts in over 200 locations across the UK. Provision provides health related programmes, which are shown in major NHS Departments such as Accident and Emergency, Out-patients, Fracture Clinics and a range of high footfall departments.

Generally one complete system is supplied to NHS Hospitals  free of charge; the hospital is required to provide a broadband connection, electrical power points and an electrical power supply. The service is funded by local, regional and national advertising.

The system comprises of state-of-the-art media players linked to large (between 24″ and 51″) energy efficient LED, LCD or Plasma screens. The media players are designed to be able to work 365 days per year and the software allows us to provide a number of functions, including:

• Current waiting times
• Instant messaging
• Informative programmes
• Live RSS News Feeds
• Trust branding
• Date and Time
• On-site content updating
• Off-site updating of programmes

To maximise the system’s potential, it is essential that the systems are connected to a broadband line. This allows the system to be:

• Updated with waiting times from any networked PC within any department
• Updated with instant messages (for example – “Please switch off your mobile phone”) from any networked PC within any department
• RSS News Feeds (such as BBC News 24 or Sky News)
• Remotely accessed for system diagnostics
• Remotely accessed for system updates
• Remotely accessed for programme editing

The objective of the screens is to provide quality programming relevant to the waiting area they are located; providing patients with appropriate information for their visit.

The screen systems are an ideal tool to help with de-cluttering the waiting area by providing information from posters, leaflets and flyers into one streamlined, visual information centre. This also helps with infection control with the removal of old and damaged literature from wall space, improving the aesthetics of the waiting area.

Where required by the department the system can include an instant messaging facility. This enables the operator to deliver a mixture of pre-programmed messages to patients at the click of a button. These messages can include:

• Welcome to the department
• Current waiting times
• Opening hours
• Emergency messages
• Polite instructions (e.g. ‘Please turn off your mobile phone’)
• Seasonal messages (e.g. ‘Merry Christmas from all the staff’)