CfH gives World Cup red card

NHS Connecting for Health, the agency responsible for NHS IT, has shown the red card to NHS staff trying to access World Cup match coverage online.

It announced yesterday that it has banned users of NHS computers from accessing video and audio streaming of the World Cup, from broadcasters such as the BBC and TalkSport over the NHS network.

A spokesperson for NHS CfH said that the move was a precautionary step rather than in response to problem that had occured.  "This is a pre-emptive measure to protect all N3 users and ensure continued efficient network activity." 

"This is so that everyday NHS business is not disrupted by sports coverage needing large amounts of internet bandwidth," said CfH, which added that it may in future ban access to all broadcasts of streaming video and audio.  Unlike regular traffic streaming audio and video cannot be cached in the network.

CfH says the measures have been taken to ensure that staff listening or watching online match coverage do not slow down the NHS National Network, N3, managed by BT.

Len Chard from NHS Connecting for Health said: "Managing the availability of streamed content at a national level means we can support NHS organisations and ensure responsible local use of the internet.

"Streamed content is of particular concern because of the high levels of bandwidth it demands. Our priority is to ensure N3 is fully available and continues to support the clinical systems and services in the NHS."

CfH plans to permanently block access to video and audio streaming from broadcasters’ over the NHS network. It says it envisages this "will become a permanent measure to ensure the smooth running of the network."

The health service’s broadband network is designed to connect different systems and enable the fast, secure exchange of information, files and data between sites and health care professionals across England. BT was awarded a 7 year, £530m contract to deliver the network in February 2004.