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NHS Trust cuts the wires, plans for RFID
£1m wireless set-up for patient monitoring...

By Julian Goldsmith

Published: Wednesday 09 May 2007

Scarborough NHS Trust has signed a seven-year contract worth more than £1m, to migrate its network infrastructure to wireless.

In addition to extra network capacity, the Trust will also benefit from more up-to-date distribution of patient records and real-time monitoring of patient welfare within its two hospitals.

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The Cisco-based network, supplied by integrator Affiniti, will enable patients to be monitored wherever they are - on the ward, the cafeteria or in the grounds - and patient records will be automatically updated at the bedside, giving medical staff the most up-to-date information on patients' conditions.

The network upgrade involves replacing the existing backbone with a 10Gbps core, increasing capacity twenty-fold. This is supported by 210 wireless access points across both campuses, with a 100Mbps link between the two sites.

The extra network capacity is expected to make the distribution of X-ray film unnecessary, as medical staff should be able to access X-rays digitally. Previously this was not possible as large image files could potentially disrupt the distribution of other patient information across the old network.

Scarborough Hospital head of IT, David Worth, said the Trust is working towards a more interactive IT set-up to allow staff to be more flexible and real-time in their approach to patients.

Once the system is in place, future projects will include RFID tracking - currently being trialled in the maternity ward - and an IP contact centre.