Cisco partner responds to Cononavirus with free NHS video consultation offer
Free 90-day offer comes as NHS England urges hospitals to carry out more video consultations of patients
A Cisco partner is offering free usage of its video consultation platform to a range of public sector bodies - including the NHS - to support the UK response to Coronavirus.
The 90-day offer from Refero comes as NHS England today advised hospitals to carry out more video-based consultations of patients to thwart the virus' spread.
Up to a fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick during the peak of any epidemic, officials have warned.
Underpinned by Cisco Webex, Manchester-based Refero's video consultation technology is already used by several NHS trusts.
It is designed to enable clinician to speak to patients within hours, remotely via mobile and desktop devices.
Refero's announcement comes after Cisco, Google and Zoom all moved to offer their video conferencing services for free or with more generous time limitations.
Refero's offer - which it says is good for at least the next 90 days - covers the following public sector bodies:
- NHS Trusts (Primary and Secondary care), including GP surgeries
- Central Government departments and offices
- Local Government teams and offices
- The armed forces, police and emergency services
- Pharmacists
It advised the to email [email protected] "for an immediate response".
Dan Worman, CEO of Refero, said: "It's very important that the public have access to medical professionals in the safest way possible for all of us, and video consultation is absolutely the best way to provide that. We feel very strongly that access to this should be immediate and free of charge to public services that are facing increased pressures currently. This is a social and moral decision by Refero, not a business one. Please get in touch if you need our help."