Apira Ltd

Digital Dictation and Voice Recognition (DDVR) Support Services

Apira supports NHS Digital Dictation and Voice Recognition Systems (DDVR) projects via managing justification, specification, procurement, deployment and adoption of solutions e.g. Dictate IT Swift, T-Pro, Nuance, 3M, Epro and Hepian. We are supplier agnostic, and will help you realise successful outcomes when considering through to implementing and optimising solutions.

Features

• Justification: development of HM Treasury, Green Book compliant Business Case
• Specification: Output Based Specification covering functional and non-functional requirements
• Buy: robust procurement process using framework or FTS methodology
• Deploy: deployment of the preferred solution leading to 'go live'
• Adopt: ensure thorough adoption of the solution across the organisation
• Realise: realisation of benefits to improve your services
• DDVR: solutions - making it easier
• Solutions to digitise aspects such as paper
• Supplier agnostic
• Added value, post project reviews held

Benefits

• Improves chances of internal/external business case approval
• Improves chances of successful procurement
• Improves definition of requirements
• Ensures excellent stakeholder engagement across the organisation
• Ensures robust planning for deployment
• Increases chances of successful deployment and adoption
• Delivers continuous improvements
• Ensures value for money from your investment
• Overcomes shortage and pressure on your internal resources
• Improves delivery of benefits to staff and patients/public

£595 to £995 a unit a day

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at celia.fleming@apira.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

801844732294890

Contact

Celia Fleming
07836 601488
celia.fleming@apira.co.uk

Planning

• Planning service: Yes
• How the planning service works: Plans follow best practice e.g. PRINCE2, Agile methodologies. Planning for implementation starts very early on with a robust Apira Business Case which ensures that the project has the best chance of success (through the funding required and the objectives / timescales agreed). Our Business Cases comply with all standards (Green Book, CIA model, etc) and we are experienced with internal approval processes as well as external up to and including HM Treasury. ; ; The Management Case part of the Business Case describes the approach to the management of risk, change and benefits – all important aspects of implementation. The Business Case is then followed by a robust, detailed Output Based Specification which makes the organisation's requirements clear to potential suppliers – both functional and non-functional requirements need to be covered. ; ; A procurement process is also needed which complies with procurement legislation in order to minimise the risk of a challenge and maximise the selection of the best solution for the organisation. ; ; Planning for implementation can then start in earnest and includes strategies and plans for:; ; • Milestones, stages and workstreams; • Roles and resources; • Risks; • Change management; • Training ; • Testing; • Benefits realisation; • Data migration (if relevant)
• Planning service works with specific services: No

Training

• Training service provided: Yes
• How the training service works: We supply training as part of our deployment. We also work with customers to develop long-term training solutions as part of this process. The design and delivery of training in new services includes a number of activities:; • Training Needs Analysis identifying the training needs of users; • Training Strategy to document what training is needed, when and how it is to be delivered; • Online training: through eLearning or other style of online delivery; • Classroom training: where more direct training is required; • Bitesize training: for shorter TikTok style training comprising of short video clips; • Gamification: using techniques from gaming to improve staff skills in the service; • At-the-elbow training (floorwalking): support for go live with direct face-to-face or virtual training
• Training is tied to specific services: No

Setup and migration

• Setup or migration service available: Yes
• How the setup or migration service works: Our services include the justification and procurement of solutions and then their implementation, which would involve the migration to the Cloud or the migration between Cloud Services. ; The process of migration requires careful planning and testing prior to going live and there are several aspects to migration:-; ; DATA MIGRATION: which requires technical activities including: -; ; Data Migration Strategy to agree on what is migrated and how; decisions on the quantity of data to migrate; data quality activities to cleanse data prior to migration; extraction of data from current systems; transformation of data ready to load to the new solution; import of data;trial loads accompanied by testing to ensure that data migrates correctly; dress rehearsal; final migration.; ; USER MIGRATION: both in technical terms so individuals can access the new solution and in terms of data associated with them (their accounts); ; Infrastructure migration: so that end-user devices, networks,etc are configured as necessary to access the new services.; ; PROCESS MIGRATION: the process will be implemented in the new solution and are likely to change from the present “as is” process to a future “to be” process. This will give rise to both benefits to be realised and dis-benefits (gaps) to be addressed.
• Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services: No

Quality assurance and performance testing

• Quality assurance and performance testing service: Yes
• How the quality assurance and performance testing works: We adhere to best practice, proven delivery methodologies and leveraging our Team’s significant experience in supporting and successfully delivering programmes. Our approach culminates in the achievement of your organisation’s required outcomes. ; ; Testing is a critical part of the implementation to ensure that the new solution/service will function as required. Apira can design and lead the testing activities which cover a number of areas, including:; • Functional testing: ensuring that the service works as expected and as configured; • Data migration testing: ensuring that the data has been migrated successfully; • Access / end-user device testing: ensuring that access to the services is as required from all locations and devices; • Performance testing: ensuring that the system performance (response) is appropriate ; • Resilience and DR testing: ensuring that the system will still work when components of it fail; • Interface testing: ensuring that all interfaces (to and from other solutions) work as expected.

Security testing

• Security services: No

Ongoing support

• Ongoing support service: No

Service scope

• Service constraints: Apira has no constraints. We are able to provide both on-site and remote services.

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Support levels: We provide support during a Cloud implementation. We support an organisation in developing their own long-term support.

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: QMS
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 24/03/2022
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Not applicable.
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications: NHS Data Security Protection Toolkit

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  Protecting the environment is important to us, our ISO14001 accreditation evidences this. For all contracts awarded via this framework, we will appoint a “Social Value Champion” (SVC, a member of our Senior Management Team) whose role incorporates liaising with Framework / customer stakeholders such as existing “Green Champions” to identify / mange and report on agreed key environmental initiatives for example, reducing single use plastics, packaging and increasing the recyclability of products. ; ; We engage via: ; • Supporting Carbon Reduction: (1) Choosing local Managers to attend site, colleagues using public transport or attending meetings virtually (2) Planting trees in a local area so adding to the level of rainforest protection and helping support and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals (3) Promoting an electric cargo bike courier between hospitals ; • Delivering Sustainable Waste Management: (1) Aligning with a customer’s specific plans. For example, a key customer priority was in switching to 100% recycled paper and we contributed to taking forward this priority (2) Embarking on 'paperless' approach, ensuring an individual customer’s documents can be digitally sent / received; • Collaborating For Energy Efficiency: (1) Aligning with each organisation’s Greener NHS Estates Delivery Plan (2) Promoting the procurement of technology which lowers energy consumption.; ; Specifically, we collaborated with a London NHS Trust in working towards delivering a ‘Net Zero’ sustainable NHS. Our digital solution contributed to savings including reductions in the need for patients to travel, courier cost savings of £23,000 per annum as well as significantly reducing carbon emissions. ; ; Our initiatives are managed by our SVC who monitors, measures and reports on our progress directly into our Senior Management Team and our customer.; ; Our approach contributes in fighting climate change and successfully addresses reducing the carbon footprint for the benefit of all stakeholders.

  Covid-19 recovery

  For all contracts awarded via this framework, we will appoint a “Social Value Champion” (SVC, a member of our Senior Management Team) whose role incorporates liaising with Framework / customer stakeholders to identify / mange and report on agreed key initiatives.; ; The pandemic had a devastating impact on individuals and communities. Our approach included supporting national assignments. For example, for NHSX, during COVID, Apira rolled out iPads to care homes and in partnership with Digital Social Care ensured training, guidance and advice to care homes staff and residents. This culminated in supporting remote monitoring and consultations as well as facilitating communication between residents, their family and friends.; ; In terms of creating local employment we continue to promote placements for junior staff. For example, a junior member of staff from a NHS Trust’s Medical Records Team gained experience working with us at our office shadowing our staff so they then had the opportunity to be assigned a new role at a higher banding than previously. We have also, in partnership with customers and third parties, collaborated in contributing 250+ hours of training for local disadvantaged individuals in the South West.; ; Internally, we setup weekly company meetings to keep in-touch with staff and moved many assignments to virtual delivery. The workplace support recovery efforts e.g. remote working, sustainable travel solutions have been very successful. We also schedule social events / meetings at local premises so supporting the community and local businesses.; ; Our initiatives are managed by our SVC who monitors, measures and reports on our progress directly into our Senior Management Team and our customer.; ; Our approach contributes in supporting COVID-19 recovery for the benefit of all stakeholders.

  Tackling economic inequality

  For all contracts awarded via this framework, we will appoint a “Social Value Champion” (SVC, a member of our Senior Management Team) whose role incorporates liaising with Framework / customer stakeholders to identify / mange and report on agreed key initiatives.; ; We tackle economic inequality via (1) Published role pay scales, offering training to promote retention and progression (2) Accreditations - Living Wage Foundation (3) Establishing network for Junior Consultants; a platform for the informal sharing of experiences and developing each individual’s knowledge and skills (4) Establishing Women’s Network for building peer-to-peer support relationships and providing a safe environment for women to share experiences, devise new initiatives, navigate a successful work-life balance and to upskill for promotion opportunities (5) Including a diverse range of our staff in recruitment and selection processes, monitoring our Team’s composition, supporting progress on diversity and inclusion. ; Via proactive engagement e.g. meetings / calls we influence third parties. For example, in collaboration with various parties we recently contributed 250+ hours of training for local and disadvantaged individuals.; Furthermore, we work to understand the needs and requirements of system users (e.g. clinicians) as well as service users so ensuring digital and cloud solutions are designed / implemented in a way that meets their needs for example, on accessibility / navigation including applying relevant NHS England Accessible Information Standards.; Our initiatives are managed by our SVC who monitors, measures and reports on our progress directly into our Senior Management Team and our customer.; ; Our approach contributes in tackling economic inequality for the benefit of all stakeholders.

  Equal opportunity

  For all contracts awarded via this framework, we will appoint a “Social Value Champion” (SVC, a member of our Senior Management Team) whose role incorporates liaising with Framework / customer stakeholders to identify / mange and report on agreed key initiatives.; ; We are establishing a workplace where everyone, regardless of personal characteristics, can flourish. Activities include: (1) Seeking applications from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds / industries - not just health, our core sector; we believe this adds value by driving innovation into our business and therefore delivering you with new solutions (2) Promoting diversity and equality, for example, including a diverse range of our staff in recruitment and selection processes (3) Monitoring our Team’s composition - our progress on Diversity and Inclusion is scrutinised at Board level (4) Using an external HR specialist provider to ensure our policies / processes are current and compliant with best practice and that individuals, regardless of background / minority have the opportunity to move into higher paid work by developing new skills. Specifically, we facilitate comprehensive training for individuals. This is a mix of formal training, e-Learning and shadowing colleagues. For example, individuals have attended courses and possess qualifications such as Better Business Case Foundation / Practitioner. We are also a HIMSS Digital Health Technology Partner. We have also created a framework for developing staff covering vocational (e.g. Better Business Cases) and general training (e.g. Information Security) as well as forming sub-groups such as a Business Case Group so making certain all people involved in that area are up-to-date with our approach and best practice / guidance.; ; Our initiatives are managed by our SVC who monitors, measures and reports on our progress directly into our Senior Management Team and our customer.; ; Our approach contributes in ensuring equal opportunity for all stakeholders.

  Wellbeing

  For all contracts awarded via this framework, we will appoint a “Social Value Champion” (SVC, a member of our Senior Management Team) whose role incorporates liaising with Framework / customer stakeholders to identify / manage and report on agreed key initiatives.; ; Wellbeing is a priority and a specialist Apira Team (People Management Group – PMG) are responsible for promoting our activities in supporting this. Our PMG supports initiatives such as: (1) Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (2) Holding quarterly 1:1 buddy-sessions where colleagues “get to know” each other and not just from a work perspective (3) Having accredited MHFAiders® to better support our people (4) Sponsoring projects such as the virtual walk by our staff to raise money for Breast Cancer Now and which also contributed to our teams’ physical and mental health. For our walk, steps were measured by pedometer / fitness tracker watches so ensuring data transparency. Regular updates via MS Teams were published throughout the period and included for example, progress on steps taken per day. As a result individuals bonded / felt happier and together we raised over £1,000 for the charity.; ; Additional initiatives which supported the wider community included: (1) Colleagues planting trees in a local area so contributing to a better environment as well as improving the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals (2) In partnership with customers and third parties, we have collaborated in contributing 250+ hours of training for local disadvantaged individuals in the South West.; ; Our initiatives are managed by our SVC who monitors, measures and reports on our progress directly into our Senior Management Team and our customer.; ; Our approach contributes in ensuring the well-being of all stakeholders.

Pricing

• Price: £595 to £995 a unit a day
• Discount for educational organisations: Yes

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at celia.fleming@apira.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.