Royal Papworth Hospital transforms staff communication with a modern, mobile-first cloud intranet

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering 130,000 episodes of care for patients each year. Founded as a tuberculosis colony in 1918, Royal Papworth Hospital has established an international reputation for excellence in research and innovation.

Forward thinkers, the team at Royal Papworth wanted to develop a modern, cloud-based intranet that was accessible on mobile devices. The existing system, built on Classic ASP, limited flexibility and wasn't fully accessible on mobile devices, making it harder for staff on wards or working remotely to access information quickly. Content updates often relied on the digital and communications teams, slowing down workflows. 

They wanted to empower their 2,200 members of staff to access vital information anytime, anywhere - improving engagement, accessibility and ease of content management. 

The goals

While the project did not have formal KPIs, success was defined by four clear outcomes: 

1. Securely accessible on mobile devices, from any location
2. A positive experience for staff that improved communication across the Trust
3. An intuitive, searchable interface that made finding information quick and simple
4. Reduced reliance on communications teams for content management

 

The journey

From the outset, VerseOne drew on its extensive experience working with NHS Trusts to design a solution tailored to the realities of a busy clinical environment. The team focused on employee experience and usability, ensuring the new intranet met the diverse needs of staff across wards, offices, and remote locations. Rather than simply redesigning the old system, VerseOne reimagined it as a digital workspace that made everyday tasks simpler, faster, and more connected. Their technical expertise, particularly in delivering secure Single Sign-On integration and supporting a smooth, content-focused migration, ensured the final platform was both robust and engaging for every user.  

 

“Working with the VerseOne delivery team was a very positive experience and staff feedback has been really encouraging. Staff love that they can now access the intranet from their phones, wherever they are, without needing VPN.”

Craig MacKenzie, Digital Media Coordinator, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The result

Access anywhere

Staff can now access the intranet from any device, whether on the wards, in the office, or working remotely. This has improved communication across the Trust and made essential information available exactly when and where it's needed.

Ease of use

The intuitive design and powerful search functionality allow employees to find what they need quickly. Day-to-day tasks are simpler and faster, reducing frustration and improving overall productivity.

Empowered teams

Departments are now able to manage and update their own content, increasing staff engagement and ownership. This has freed the digital and communications teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine updates.

“From our perspective, the project absolutely delivered on its main drivers. Royal Papworth now has a modern, cloud-based intranet which is accessible to all staff, from any location and is much easier for staff to use. It's enhanced communication and engagement, especially for people who aren't always at a desk.”
Craig MacKenzie, Digital Media Coordinator, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

 

VerseOne is a market-leading provider of digital transformation solutions that empower and enhance both the employee and patient experience, with over 20 years' experience working with the NHS. To understand how your Trust could benefit from an intranet delivered by VerseOne, get in touch. 

Start your intranet journey and visit:  www.verseone.com/nhs-verseone-dxp-for-intranets