UK Mail bid to expand healthcare use of hybrid mail service

The company said its imail service has completed the Connecting for Health (CFH) Information Government Toolkit assessment, which means it is now officially able to handle sensitive mail for National Health Service trusts.

The service scored a 100% rating in the assessment after undergoing a “stringent” test in ensuring it complied with NHS security requirements and the terms and conditions within the government’s Department of Health Information Governance Assuance Statement, the Birmingham-based company said.

The upshot of it all means that imail can be trusted to maintain the confidentiality and security of personal information such as medical records, test results and appointment reminders.

Andy Barber, the general manager for imail, said: “The CFH status demonstrates imail’s ability to provide a secure and efficient service. We have been through all the necessary safeguards process and delighted to have achieved the CFH status.

“As well as providing reassurance, this confirms our commitment to providing quality, value-added services into the NHS,” added Barber.

Hybrid

UK Mail, which launched its imail service back in 2008, said the service has a growing number of public sector clients.

The hybrid mail service allows the creation, proofing and sending of communications electronically, to be printed out and mailed in physical form locally to the recipient. Items sent electronically by 3pm can be sent next-day, or two-day if sent before 6pm.

UK Mail says the service can mean significant cost savings for mailers, from one letter to bulk mailing, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of mailing by as much as 80%, because it is printed and sorted at a facility closest to the mail’s destination.

The option could prove particularly interesting to medical practices operating on increasingly tight budgets, said UK Mail, which claims cost savings of up to 60% are possible with its service.

UK Mail currently has 53 sites around the UK, claiming to handle about 17% of the UK’s addressed mail.