An intelligent integrated network for the UK's largest super hospital

integrated network installation at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Everything is mission-critical when lives and wellbeing are at stake. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) is the UK’s largest Super Hospital. Developed for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the £842m QEUH Campus is designed to treat 110,000 patients every year. North designed and delivered an intelligent integrated network for seamless communications and security across the entire 165,000m2 campus.

North’s independence means we are free to choose the right technologies for our customers. Our resilient integrated network for QEUH uses specialist cabling to protect against interference and air-blown fibre that can be upgraded and expanded without disruption. The Wi-Fi infrastructure uses 2,500 Cisco Wireless Access Points, providing optimal connectivity through the vast campus, offering flexible working and accessing critical patient data immediately when a trauma patient arrives by helicopter.

North also developed a scalable centralised security system, seamlessly integrated with the network to deliver high-definition surveillance everywhere. Behind the scenes, our network supports a fleet of Automated Guided Vehicles to deliver medications, meals and linen throughout the campus. North’s technology solutions keep the hospital and its staff one step ahead.

North’s experienced teams delivered the project ahead of schedule and under budget by working collaboratively with its technology partners and the project team to simplify planning, allocate resources and streamline project management.

North reduced environmental impacts by sourcing network infrastructure components from carbon neutral local suppliers, storing materials within a four-mile radius of the site and returning packaging to suppliers for re-use and recycling. As part of the project, eight full-time apprentices were employed, trained, and developed into integral parts of the team.

North delivered:

  • End-to-end smart building solution
  • Cabling infrastructure to 25,000 outlets
  • 2.5 million metres of shielded cable
  • 2 million metres of air-blown fibre
  • Enterprise wireless LAN covering 14 floors and 165,000m2 of floor space
  • Video surveillance across 420 cameras and 75 video entry doors
  • Access control across 450 doors and campus wide intruder detection
  • Hospital wide assistive hearing solution
  • 25-year enhanced system warranty

The results:

  • One of the most advanced healthcare facilities in the UK
  • Highly secure, robust and scalable intelligent network
  • 24/7 simplified and centralised security management
  • Completed and handed over ahead of schedule and under budget