Securing a Major NHS Mental Health Estate

A large NHS Foundation Trust in the North of England required a full upgrade to its access control systems, a complex project made more challenging by the unique and critical security needs of its acute mental health wards. With an outdated system that posed both security vulnerabilities and safety risks, the Trust needed a comprehensive, modern solution…

The Challenge

The estate’s reliance on a legacy access control system, which used low-frequency readers and cards, presented a series of complex challenges. The outdated security was prone to cloning and inconsistent standards. Furthermore, the standard access readers in acute mental health wards were not fit for purpose – they posed ligature risks and were highly susceptible to vandalism. A significant operational challenge was the Trust’s existing system by a competitor, which had proven to be expensive, difficult to scale and costly to maintain.

The Solution

The Trust enlisted Grosvenor Technology to provide a full move  to its JanusC4 platform. The solution involved:

• A strategic migration from low-frequency credentials to high-frequency smart cards, delivering a significant increase in cloning resistance.
• The deployment of Third Millennium RX5M anti-ligature and anti-vandal readers, specifically chosen to address the safety critical needs of the mental health wards.
• The complete replacement of the old competitor system with Grosvenor’s modular JC4 controllers, providing a robust and cost-effective foundation for future estate expansion.

The Results and Benefits

The introduction of the new access control platform has profoundly improved the security and operational efficiency of the NHS estate.
Key benefits include:

• Safer environments: The anti-ligature and anti-vandal readers have dramatically reduced risks in acute wards.
• Enhanced resilience: New hardware provides enhanced security, resisting vandalism while delivering consistent, reliable performance.
• Operational savings: The move away from the old systems delivered significant cost savings and unlocked easier estate-wide management.
• Future ready: The JC4 system now provides the Trust with a scalable, future-ready infrastructure that ensures long-term value.

A New Standard for Healthcare Access Control

The healthcare sector faces the unique challenge of balancing security with a duty of care, where technology must protect individuals without compromising safety. This project demonstrates how the right solution can:

• Elevate Patient and Staff Safety: By implementing purpose built hardware that directly addresses safety risks.
• Enhance Operational Resilience: By deploying a robust system that stands up to demanding environments.
• Future-Proof an Investment: By providing scalable and cost effective technology that can grow with the needs of a large estate.