Fingerprint recognition trialled in Lewisham PCT

A new biometric security system combining single sign-on and fingerprint authentication will be adopted by Lewisham Primary Care Trust this month.

The new security system will be used by 300 staff at Lewisham’s Children and Young Person’s Centre, who will be subject to “bulletproof” security checks.

The system, developed by Logicalis, will use fingerprint authentication in an effort to improve safety for individual users and protect patient confidentiality. The system will feature electronic single-sign on technology, meaning that users will only have to log in once.

The year-long trial was agreed last month by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Shared ICT Services (LSLSIS). Work has now begun on the installation of the system.

Donna Jarrett, director of LSLSIS told EHI Primary Care that the system would “result in care records being available at the point of care” for the benefit of patients and clients attending the centre, ensuring a more efficient and fast service.

Logicalis will provide the trust with a shared infrastructure, allowing each department to work together more closely without jeopardising patient confidentiality. They hope that the results of the trial will tempt other NHS trusts to consider undertaking biometric authentication.

Staff at the children’s centre must scan in their fingerprint every time they log onto the system. The biometrics will be authenticated using Cisco’s Application Network Services software.

Logicalis’s security practice manager, Lewis Honor, told EHI: “Innovative security is at the heart of this project and will be a first for Primary Care Trusts in England. Access to confidential information is protected as rights are provided according to user profile, and supported by biometric fingerprint authentication.”

He added: “This is a really exciting project for both Lewisham PCT and Logicalis, and the anticipated benefits will make a real difference to how Primary Care Trusts provide services to patients.”

A spokesperson for the Lewisham PCT said: “We are looking forward to working with the Logicalis system at our Children and Young Person’s Centre, and hope that it will help our departments to work efficiently and seamlessly to make the patient experience as painless as possible.”