A system of “outdated” security cameras at Manchester’s Christie Hospital, one of the UK’s leading cancer centres, has been replaced with a purpose-designed system supplied by Schneider Electric With many staff working shifts, 24/7 operation, and a constant patient/visitor flow, maintaining security was proving a challenge for existing camera system.
A full, independent dilapidation report highlighted problems such as excessive cable runs between existing cameras and monitoring centres, and consequently picture quality so poor that the evidence provided was not of sufficient quality to be used in court. A management decision was made to put the design and provision of a new security system out to tender. Schneider Electric suggested a new, bespoke security system. By October 2008 a decision had been made, and an order placed, for a new system based on an enterprise class, IP-based video security solution that utilised the latest technology and security imaging architecture to provide “unparalleled reliability, scalability, and superior image quality”. Decisive in securing the contract was the system’s ability to be installed over the hospital’s existing network. With careful planning, Schneider Electric incorporated the entire system with minimum disruption to patient care during the 20-week installation. The project covered two main sites; the main hospital, and its adjacent car parking area. The newly installed system has been “future-proofed” to ensure that, as the hospital expands, and technology advances, it can “respond accordingly”. The central control facility houses eight 19” monitors and two 42” monitors plus two joystick controls, which allow security operators to control the 146 cameras installed site-wide. The facility also undertakes all back-up and recorded data storage. Schneider Electric is also providing full training, plus equipment maintenance.
