Aneurin Bevan Health Board deploys robust, cost–efficient technology to support strategic Clinical Futures programme

Aneurin Bevan Health Board has appointed Surrey–based systems integrator LAN2LAN to design, supply and maintain its wireless infrastructure for the next 3–5 years. The new infrastructure, based on the Trapeze WiFi™ solution, will support Aneurin Bevan’s Clinical Futures programme which involves the construction of new hospitals and technology aimed at delivering improved healthcare throughout Gwent, Wales. Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan in Ebbw Vale and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach are the latest hospitals to join the programme and will form major healthcare hubs in the region.

After a competitive evaluation of more than 20 vendors, Aneurin Bevan Health Board selected LAN2LAN for the company’s agility and willingness to understand the business needs of the Clinical Futures programme and its dedication to providing a robust, always–on wireless solution capable of meeting the stringent security and cost–savings requirements of the NHS.

Andrew Evans, Head of Telecommunications for Aneurin Bevan Health Board, said: “The LAN2LAN team took the trouble to understand the goals for Clinical Futures and the needs of the organisation and made sure that their solution could deliver what we wanted securely. The solution chosen is highly resilient, essential to providing excellent patient care and crucial to life–saving services such as our specialist Stroke Unit.”

The driver behind deploying wireless technology is its ability to provide efficient coverage in a multi–tenant, multi–location environment free from the limitations of traditional voice technology. The Trapeze 802.11n WiFi platform guarantees 99% uptime but is designed to be self–healing in the event of failure. It also allows speeds and capacities that rival those of traditional cabled technology. The deployment enables the improved access to and delivery of data–rich services, including wireless Voice–over–IP (VoIP) and Picture Archiving and Communications (PACs), right through to the teams working at the point of care wherever and whenever they need them.

Gary Duke, Director of LAN2LAN, added: “Another major benefit of wireless technology – and a key consideration for all NHS organisations – is cost. By building a wireless infrastructure, Aneurin Bevan Health Board will no longer have to invest in multiple fixed and mobile devices. What is more, as an added bonus, it will have the distinct advantage of being able to route all calls via a landline number, thereby reducing the overall number of expensive mobile billing minutes.”

As part of the process of completing a winning bid, LAN2LAN undertook to comply with the N3 programme, which is the component of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) that provides secure fast broadband services to the NHS in England and Wales. By achieving the N3 standard, LAN2LAN is allowed to connect remotely to the sites in Gwent, via the Public Sector Broadband Access (PSBA) infrastructure for Wales, to provide remote support services.

“The national code of connection does not allow ad hoc connections, so it was essential for LAN2LAN to achieve N3 compliance if they were to meet the demands of our Service Level Agreement. LAN2LAN is one of very few vendors to achieve N3 accreditation, a real milestone and testimony to their commitment to providing security across our NHS environment,” commented Evans.

“In terms of product, knowledge, service and business focus, we have been very impressed with LAN2LAN. They even took the trouble to provide a proof of concept before installing the final system. We consider them to be a key partner, helping us in the delivery of wireless and innovative services into our estate – that's why we chose them,” concluded Evans.

Date: 02/03/2010