Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust Enhances Patient Care with Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Solution

Transforming Patient Care Infrastructure

In a significant modernization initiative, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has undertaken a project that revitalizes its uninterruptible power supply (UPS) infrastructure across multiple facilities. This ambitious venture, backed by a £1 million investment in collaboration with Schneider Electric, aims to enhance reliability and efficiency within the Trust’s operations, ensuring uninterrupted patient care.

The Challenge of Legacy Systems

Serving over 500,000 residents throughout Northumberland and North Tyneside, the Trust operates within a geographical expanse of approximately 2,500 square miles, making it one of the UK’s largest healthcare bodies. Given its extensive reach and critical role, the Trust's IT infrastructure is paramount, supporting essential applications including electronic patient records and CCTV systems. However, the old UPS systems—diverse in age and manufacturer—led to challenges in maintenance and service continuity. Mathew Burns, Operational Infrastructure Manager at Northumbria Healthcare, explained the importance of achieving 100% uptime: “Our ultimate goal is to improve service as it underpins everything the hospital does.”

Implementing EcoStruxure™

To address these challenges, Northumbria Healthcare partnered with Schneider Electric and its EcoXpert partners at RMD and XMA to deploy the EcoStruxure™ platform. This innovative solution facilitates centralized monitoring of the Trust's UPS infrastructure, enabling enhanced operational visibility across its facilities. The installed components include Smart-UPS systems, network management cards, and sensors designed for optimal performance.

Bob Beckwith, the Trust's Infrastructure Innovation and Transformation Manager, noted that the adoption of EcoStruxure has been successful in providing a solid foundation for their digital infrastructure. The Trust now benefits from a structured approach to maintenance, monitoring, and potential future data center consolidations.

Results and Benefits

As a result of this project, Northumbria Healthcare has achieved impressive outcomes: 100% uptime for its UPS systems, improved monitoring capabilities, and a sophisticated approach to energy efficiency benchmarking. The capability to predict maintenance needs and budget effectively allows the Trust to strategically plan for the future. Mathew Burns mentioned, “Currently, our UPS estate is in a healthy state with excellent reports from EcoStruxure.”

Matthew Baynes, Vice President at Schneider Electric, emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “It underscores how resilient, connected power infrastructure is critical for public services.” The Trust’s successful implementation of robust UPS solutions not only fortifies operational continuity but also reinforces patient care.

Moving Forward

Looking ahead, the Trust aims to further consolidate its data centers and refresh its UPS systems, continuing to leverage Schneider Electric's expertise under a comprehensive five-year service contract. This partnership highlights a commitment to delivering resilient and reliable healthcare through innovative technology solutions.

By modernizing its infrastructure, Northumbria Healthcare demonstrates how embracing advanced technologies can significantly enhance service delivery within the healthcare sector, ultimately putting patients first.

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