Key Highlights

• ADT implements an integrated security solution for Derriford Hospital
  Staff alarm and swipe card systems help to ensure that sensitive areas are secured and that staff can call for appropriate support when required
• Over 100 video surveillance cameras monitor the hospital and its grounds, deterring and detecting crime

Situation

Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has approximately 40,000 visitors a week. With numerous open access points and public areas, ensuring a high level of security for staff and patients had always been challenging. Many of the smaller entry doors to clinics, offices, kitchens and interconnecting corridors between departments were obvious targets for quick and discrete movement throughout the hospital. There were also a significant number of remote car parks and extensive grounds that were difficult to monitor for criminal activity.

Solution

Together, ADT and Derriford Hospital have put in place an integrated security solution to help create a safer and more secure healthcare environment. Entry and exit to the hospital is now restricted to the main doors of the building. A combination of video surveillance, staff alarm and access control systems enable the security team to ensure public areas are monitored, restricted wards are secured and that staff can call for appropriate support when required. More than one hundred video surveillance cameras cover the building and its grounds to identify and record unusual activity. Swipe card units on 400 of the hospital’s doors ensure that only authorised employees get access to sensitive areas like the maternity unit

Results

The integrated solution from ADT enables Derriford Hospital to intelligently manage fire and security issues throughout the facility and brings tangible benefits for its staff and patients. Restricting public access between departments using the swipe card system not only controls entry to secure areas, but logs the entry time and visitor on the central security system. Should anything go missing from a department, the hospital can now determine who was in the area at the time.
 
When a member of staff requires support, the security team can identify who is requesting help and their location, making it possible to send assistance swiftly while moving video surveillance cameras to view the area, recording the actions and the outcome.
 
If a fire is detected, the security doors in the affected area enable people to exit the building safely, again monitored by video surveillance. In addition, fire doors throughout the area, normally held open to enable easy movement of beds, facilities etc, automatically close to isolate the fire and give more time for the evacuation process.
 
Even in the staff car parks, which were previously an easy target for theft, ADT’s security systems have delivered impressive results. While the hospital ID card and access control system allows easy entry and exit for staff, it restricts access for unauthorised users and has helped to eradicate vehicle theft. Video surveillance has also significantly reduced levels of vandalism and break-in throughout the hospital and its grounds.