Capita completes first phase of ICT installation at new Kent hospital

IT services provider Capita has completed the first phase of an integrated ICT infrastructure for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust's new £226m hospital in Pembury.

The contract with Capita, worth £3.4m over three years, has seen the company install a Cisco medical-grade network infrastructure, a wireless local area network (WLAN), security systems and an IP telephone system (including wireless phones).

The Pembury hospital is to replace two existing acute hospitals under a £226m PFI deal, and the full ICT infrastructure will be completed by autumn.

A patient in-room entertainment system, digital media signage and a datacentre will be completed during the second phase of the project.

Capita will also provide a three-year maintenance and support service.

The new ICT infrastructure will enable improved bedside care, with consultants provided with access to clinical applications including PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) images, such as X-rays, MRI and CT scans on wireless devices.

The new wireless infrastructure will also improve security and patient safety, as hospital employees carrying wireless phones will be contactable wherever they are in the hospital.

Capita has also implemented an energy-efficient datacentre for the trust that will monitor the use of energy, supporting the Trust's green agenda.

"We chose Capita for this project due to its proven track record in providing effective medical-grade solutions designed specifically for the healthcare sector," said Keith Swaden, ICT programme manager, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

"This integrated ICT infrastructure forms the foundations for innovative new ways of working that will drive efficiencies as patient pathways are re-designed to take advantage of these new technologies."