Security ensured at children’s hospital

The state-of-the-art children’s hospital is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and has 140 inpatient beds, including a 20 bed paediatric intensive care unit for the sickest children, and three operating theatres. In addition to the health and wellbeing of its patients, the hospital places safety and security at the top of its agenda.

Entro 5, the latest version of Bewator’s popular Entro system, was chosen as the security solution for the new hospital due to its extensive functionality and scalability. Bewator Entro is a modular access control system that can be used to control more than 500 doors with 20,000 access cards.

At the hospital the Entro system is being used to secure 118 access points, for example at entrances to wards and theatres and areas that require an extremely high level of security. More than 1,000 access cards have been issued to hospital staff.

Security manager for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Jo Hand explained: “We chose to install Bewator’s Entro 5 access control system at the new Evelina Children’s Hospital as an extension of the security system we already have in place throughout the rest of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital sites, which has had Bewator’s Entro system in place for a number of years.

“It is of paramount importance that patients, staff and visitors alike feel safe and secure on the premises, as well as ensuring all medicines and equipment used in the hospital are stored securely. We need to be able to manage who has access to these areas of the hospital at specific times.”

The latest edition of Bewator Entro also offers a range of new functionalities that can bring additional benefits to end users.

A fundamental feature is the segment controller, which has been designed to give database retrieval and up-load in emergency situations. Other features, such as global anti-pass back with no PC and a two-port switcher built in, are standard.

It is the modular approach of Bewator Entro that is reported to make the installation process and maintenance of the system extremely easy. The system also allows for future expansion and upgrades, making it a cost-effective, longterm security solution for the hospital.

The Evelina’s Children Hospital was originally founded in 1869. The new Evelina, London’s first new children’s hospital for more than 100 years, is a seven-storey, glass-fronted building themed around the natural world and designed, in part, by the children themselves. The building has dramatic views over Lambeth Palace and the Houses of Parliament and was officially opened in October 2005.