Protecting and securing hospitals is a complex task requiring the right combination of technical expertise and local knowledge. The requirement for a solution that is quite literally 'best in class' is paramount. And there are few better examples of an integrated solution than that at Ashworth Hospital – one of only three high security hospitals in the country.
The story of Ashworth Hospital, part of the Mersey Care NHS Trust, dates back to 1999 when the in-house management team identified shortcomings in its security systems. As such, a dedicated project team was formed and a security investment strategy developed (involving contacts with the prison service, and identifying potential suppliers capable of delivering a turnkey integrated security solution for the Trust).

Before the management team could take any initial action, though, Sir Richard Tilt was placed in charge of a much wider Government-led review of security at all of the secure hospital sites across the UK. For Ashworth in particular, Tilt's report recommended a comprehensive review of the hospital's physical security provision, and drew up a list of proposals relating to perimeter security as well as other recommendations that involved capital investment.

Due to the complexity of the task ahead for the hospital, itself located just outside the Merseyside town of Maghull, a detailed business case study was produced in order to highlight specific areas for investment and development. These included the north entry building, the perimeter fencing (including roads and pathways), CCTV surveillance, perimeter intrusion detection systems, security lighting and the east entry building.

The total capital cost of providing an upgrade to security at Ashworth Hospital was estimated at £15 million. In October 2000, with the business case accepted by the North West Regional Office, design and installation work was able to begin. Within a few short weeks, Ashworth's management team began the process of seeking an external consultant to provide an integrated security system design.

Among those asked to provide solutions was Security Design Associates (SDA), a division of Protec and well-versed in high security installations (having undertaken a number of projects for both the prison service and the Ministry of Defence).

Following the receipt of all bids, a full evaluation was undertaken involving the directors of finance and security, as well as the capital planning manager and an independent external consultant. On completion of the evaluation, two companies (including SDA) were considered appropriate for further analysis. Both potential suppliers were asked additional questions on a wide range of issues, but SDA emerged as the preferred choice. It met all of Ashworth's operational requirements, and its management structure was perceived as being 'user friendly'.

The decision was not based on cheapest price, although clearly value for money will always be an issue for discerning end users. SDA did not present the highest or the lowest bid, but was deemed to best meet the hospital's management requirements. SDA then took on the full design study in April 2001.

Due to the sheer complexity of the task ahead for the Ashworth Hospital security management team, a detailed business case study was produced in order to highlight specific areas for investment and development. These included the north and east entry buil

Route monitoring for CCTV
The outcome of the study and its subsequent approval by the Ashworth management team, has resulted in the first phase of the new security project getting under way – an external contract to protect the inside of the hospital's perimeter. Central to this phase is the installation of what is termed 'route monitoring' CCTV and the provision of a new central Control Room.

As the name suggests, 'route monitoring' enables the security staff at Ashworth Hospital to follow patients as they move from one ward to another – without them ever leaving the view of a camera. This has entailed the installation of eight JVC colour cameras mounted on 12-metre poles. Each camera is a fully-functional PTZ complete with continuously rotating head, and all are controlled via a Meyertech matrix.

Images produced by each camera will be relayed via fibre optic transmission to the new and dedicated Control Room that's currently under construction. As part of Phase I of the security upgrade, the Control Room will feature all equipment (monitors, etc) for the entire security project and not just the initial phase. It will also feature the very latest digital recording technology, recording all alarm activity and background recording with 30-day archiving.

Also included in Phase I is the installation of permanent security lighting, sourced through specialist Abacus. This too will be controlled via the central Control Room. In addition, a new Gate Lodge building is under construction. This will house the security Control Room. Once completed, and with the route monitoring CCTV operational, the staff will relocate and use the new system. The existing area will then be refurbished in order to make way for additional facilities.

The approximate cost for the project to date is around the £2 million mark, including project management, supervision, Health and Safety provisions, quality assurance and quantity surveying costs.

Once completed, the final phase of the security design will include the installation of further external perimeter fencing, CCTV and passive infrared detection systems.

Source

SMT