Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for providing hospital services for the people of Bradford and communities across Yorkshire. They serve a core population of around 500,000 people and provide specialist services for some 1.1 million.
Their 5,500 staff work over several sites, including Bradford Royal Infirmary, which provides the majority of inpatient services, and St Luke’s Hospital, which predominantly provides outpatient and rehabilitation services. The Trust also manages local community hospitals at Eccleshill, Westwood Park, Westbourne Green, and Shipley.
In 2019, the Trust became the first healthcare organisation in Europe to implement a Command Centre to transform patient flow in their hospitals.
The Challenge
The Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust tasked Boost Pro with improving the mobile phone signal (for all four networks O2, EE, Vodafone, and Three) across three different departments – A&E, Radiology, and the previously mentioned Command Centre. Due to a combination of the materials used and the general layout of the hospital, they have struggled with mobile connectivity for a number of years. This can have a detrimental effect on both staff being able to carry out their daily duties as well as patients not being able to communicate with family, in what is often a highly stressful time.
In line with the “NHS Long Term Plan” in making better use of digital technology, improving connectivity and mobile coverage for staff and patients was a priority.
The Solution
Following on from a number of site surveys with the on-site estates and IT Teams, the Boost Pro technical team designed two separate systems to cover all identified areas.
A Hybrid DAS was designed to cover A&E and Radiology, with a separate standalone passive DAS designed to cover the Command Centre.
Our solution provides uniform, high-quality mobile signal throughout the buildings, and is scalable to the size needed. This delivers a mobile signal that is up to 1000x stronger, utilizing CAT 5e/6 cabling for RF and Power over Ethernet, with no signal attenuation, right to the perimeter of the building.
✓ All four networks improved
✓ 3G / 4G / LTE Voice and Data
✓ Multi-Carrier Support with Carrier Switching
✓ Indoor / Outdoor NEMA 4 Rated
✓ Up to 1000x stronger signal
✓ Network Safe
The Results
The physical installation took just five working days with fantastic results across all three areas:
A strong and consistent mobile signal across all four networks – o2, EE, Vodafone, and Three.
The solution has allowed patients, staff, and visitors to use their mobile devices on any mobile network, to make and receive phone calls, access data services, and receive text messages whilst in the hospital.
The team now benefits from health and safety, productivity and operational advantages of being able to use mobile devices on the move within the hospital building.
Our products are license-exempt and fully comply with Ofcom’s UK Interface requirement 2102 (IR2102) (UK) and ComReg S.I.No.283 of 2018 (Ireland).