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Samsung and Facebook are donating gadgets
Mobile giant Samsung is donating 2,000 smartphones to the NHS for staff to use at Nightingale hospitals.
It will provide Galaxy XCover 4s phones, which are designed to be more robust and can be used with gloves.
Samsung said NHS England had already ordered an additional 20,000 phones and tablets, which it had agreed to supply at cost, with no profit.
Facebook is also donating 2,050 of its video call screens to the Portal.
Portals are designed to enhance video chats by using artificial intelligence to keep callers in sight as they move around a room, making daily activities easier while continuing a conversation.
Facebook said it would send the devices to hospitals and residences in various locations, including Essex, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Surrey.
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The kit may be retained free of charge by NHS England once the pandemic ends.
“Large and small technology companies continue to commit their resources and expertise to supporting our social welfare system and NHS in these unprecedented times,” said NHSX director of digital transformation Iain O’Neil.
“Technology has never been so important in providing one of the most essential things in life: the ability to communicate with the people we love no matter where they are.”
In addition to its 2,000 smartphone donation, Samsung has also committed to:
- Install up to 35 disinfection machines in NHS Nightingale hospitals, which use UVC ultraviolet radiation to sterilize things
- send mobile workshop vans to NHS Nightingale hospitals to offer free device repairs to NHS staff
- donate advertising space on Samsung Internet-connected televisions owned by the general public to display NHS health messages
“We are all deeply indebted to the NHS and front-line supporters,” said Francis Chun, CEO of Samsung UK and Ireland.
“Small as comfort is, we hope that technology can alleviate some of the anguish this pandemic is inflicting on those most affected.”
Other tech companies have also offered discounts to NHS staff, including:
- Microsoft is allowing NHS staff to use its Teams software for free
- Uber offers 50 free rides on its electric bikes
- The Free Now taxi application offers 50% discount on trips
- The Headspace meditation app offers a free upgrade to its premium service until December 2020
- Vodafone mobile network is automatically updating workers who have a monthly payment contract to give them unlimited data
- the O2 mobile network offers a 25% discount on new contracts and benefits
NHS England has compiled a list of agreements that have been made available to its staff during the pandemic.
