NHS Tavistock and Portman upgrades digital platform for enhanced security and user experience
Client overview
Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust is a prominent mental health trust located in London, dedicated to providing high-quality mental health services and education. With a history dating back to 1920, the trust has established itself as a leading provider of mental health care, training, and support for professionals.
Since 2020, we have worked alongside Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust to build and enhance, support, and host their website. This collaboration has enabled the trust to maintain a robust online presence, ensuring that vital mental health resources are easily accessible to those who need them and fostering direct connections with patients and professionals in the field.
Since 2020, we have worked alongside Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust to build and enhance, support, and host their website. This collaboration has enabled the trust to maintain a robust online presence, ensuring that vital mental health resources are easily accessible to those who need them and fostering direct connections with patients and professionals in the field.
The challenge
Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust relied on their website to connect with patients and mental health professionals, but the impending end-of-life status of their existing Drupal version posed significant risks. Without official support or security updates, the platform became vulnerable to threats and functionality issues.
Additionally, the trust faced challenges in effectively communicating their services and engaging users. This highlighted the urgent need for a timely migration to an up to date version, ensuring the integrity of their website and continued access to essential mental health resources and support services.
Additionally, the trust faced challenges in effectively communicating their services and engaging users. This highlighted the urgent need for a timely migration to an up to date version, ensuring the integrity of their website and continued access to essential mental health resources and support services.
The approach
To address the challenges faced by Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, a longer-term strategy was established centred around upgrading their digital platform.
By following the following steps, we aimed to deliver a modern digital platform that enhances user experience and effectively supports Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust’s commitment to high-quality mental healthcare.
By following the following steps, we aimed to deliver a modern digital platform that enhances user experience and effectively supports Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust’s commitment to high-quality mental healthcare.
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Comprehensive Drupal audit:
We began with a thorough audit of the existing website to assess its current version and identify necessary updates for compatibility with the new Drupal version. This included reviewing modules and custom functionalities to ensure a smooth transition. -
Platform build with Drupal:
Using insights from the audit, we upgraded the website to a supported version of Drupal, streamlining the architecture by removing unused modules and optimising the custom theme for responsiveness and accessibility. -
Rigorous testing:
Throughout the development process, extensive testing was conducted to ensure stability and usability. This included performance checks and user acceptance testing to confirm that the new platform met user needs. -
Ongoing support and maintenance:
Following the upgrade, we provided continuous support and maintenance, offering a reliable hosting infrastructure to safeguard against disruptions and ensure optimal performance. -
Continuous monitoring:
A strategy for regular audits and performance optimisation was implemented, allowing us to identify and address potential vulnerabilities, ensuring the website remains secure and effective.
The results
The upgrade of Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust's digital platform has led to significant improvements, showcasing the success of our approach:
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Modernised infrastructure:
Now operating on a supported version of Drupal, the website aligns with industry standards and provides enhanced security and stability. -
Improved performance:
Streamlined architecture and updated custom code have resulted in faster loading times and an overall better user experience. -
Increased user confidence:
The trust's website now effectively protects sensitive patient information, maintaining the trust and credibility essential for a healthcare provider. -
Enhanced accessibility:
Users can navigate the site with ease, facilitating access to vital mental health resources and support services.
We continue to work closely with Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust on ongoing website enhancements, as well as providing hosting and support services to ensure optimal performance and consistent improvements.
With this robust and resilient digital platform, they are well-positioned to advance their mission of delivering exceptional mental health services while adapting to future needs and opportunities. The success of the upgrade demonstrates our ability to provide impactful solutions within the public sector, ultimately benefiting both the organisation and the individuals they serve.