Scottish hospital benefits from easier management and better security with eCLIQ

Challenge

NHS Raigmore Hospital is the only District General Hospital in the NHS Highlands Partnership, which runs over 200 sites across their area and provides a wide range of healthcare services. With over 2,800 staff and more than 450 beds, Raigmore Hospital is always busy.

The hospital's vast estate necessitates a large facilities management team. Access control and monitoring are required for plant rooms, high- and low-voltage rooms, maintenance roof hatches, and even the helipad used by the air ambulance.

Every type of room and entry point is accessed daily. Hospital managers sought a connected solution that could address:

• Security risks from lost or stolen keys, as well as time wasted on re-keying
• Compliance with new government standards requiring hospital building assets to be connected
• Time-saving security features like the ability to delete lost keys and track key usage

Solution

After the hassle-free, wire-free installation of eCLIQ cylinders, the hospital now benefits from enhanced electronic access control. Authorized staff members carry a single, programmable eCLIQ key that contains their specific access permissions.

Facilities managers have a comprehensive view of access activity through the eCLIQ Web Manager interface, which logs the time and user each time an eCLIQ key is used. If an issue arises, identifying who last accessed a room is quick and straightforward.

Unauthorized access risks are minimized, as eCLIQ software allows for key validation and revocation at any time. For example, former employees who fail to return their key can have their access easily de-authorized.

Additionally, in air emergency situations, eCLIQ offers operational efficiency. Staff no longer need to search for the correct key—each authorized individual uses their personal key to unlock the helipad, which is crucial for urgent care response.

“New legislation requiring connectivity of assets made our old security outdated,” explains Colin McEwen. “eCLIQ locks combined with the benefits that connectivity offers have proved a great asset.”

“Previously, when a key was lost or stolen, the only way to ensure security was to change our cylinders; eCLIQ has negated this, saving us money and time. We have set access to coincide with staff shift-patterns.”