• Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Archive
    • Advertise
      • About Us
      • 2021 Media Pack
      • Features
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

PSBNews

Banner
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Archive
    • Advertise
      • About Us
      • 2021 Media Pack
      • Features
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Enriching the lives of care home residents through seamless mobile connectivity

by Francesca September 7, 2020September 7, 2020
written by Francesca September 7, 2020September 7, 2020
Enriching the lives of care home residents through seamless mobile connectivity

Colin Abrey of Nextivity explains the role of 4G coverage in residential care in a post Covid-19 society

Over the last 10 years, wireless technology and sophisticated smartphones have transformed modern society; the way people work, the way they watch TV, the way they shop, make travel plans, and the way they pay for things. However, since the outbreak of Covid-19 mobile phones have been transforming the daily lives of those living in residential care by allowing them to remain in contact with loved ones in the absence of real-world visiting. Indeed, so important was the ability to communicate during lockdown that telecomms was declared a critical sector along with healthcare, and blue light services.

When the pandemic was at its peak, many elderly people were being rushed into hospital without their mobile phones or chargers, expecting to be there only a few days and expecting to have daily visits from friends and family. Many of those already admitted were being discharged to care homes to free up beds.  Just like hospital patients, the majority of people in residential care rely on face-to-face visits with their loved ones and typically don’t own a mobile phone, never mind a high-end smartphone. As the situation deteriorated and strict measures were imposed to flatten the curve, people living in residential care found themselves in limbo, cut off from society without the ability to Skype or FaceTime friends and family. 

In response, commercial organisations and individuals alike explored a range of Initiatives and phone donation schemes to overcome the isolation crisis. Companies that had recently upgraded their mobile fleets were encouraged to relinquish surplus devices to those in hospital or residential care.  In a digital age, mobile phones are used for much more than just talking, they’re the enabler to a wealth of healthcare and well-being apps developed over the last few months to, help reduce anxiety, limit unnecessary in-person contact to lessen the burden on overstretched GPs

In parallel, hospital and care home staff are increasingly reliant on smartphones for patient monitoring and other routine processes; to ensure medication is being take regularly, that patient notes are up to date or to observe mood swings.  This ensures all information is centrally stored and easily accessible, while reducing the risk of misinformation, or loss of information associated with pen and paper processes.

In the aftermath of the crisis, what has been highlighted are gaps in the ICT infrastructures underpinning day to day operations and internal communications in many hospitals and care homes. With the continued drive to reduce in-person contact through digitization and IoT and the risk of visiting hours being curtailed once again, never has there been a greater need for seamless mobile connectivity in these facilities.

Mobile connectivity is going to become even more important over the next two years as the UK continues with plans to replace its legacy TETRA public safety communications network with 4G. Referred to as the ESN (Emergency Services Network), this new public safety communications network will enable paramedics, police, fire services as well as  first response teams to leverage digital applications such live video feeds, location based services or wearable tech.  On the downside however, if a care facility does not have adequate 4G coverage, internal staff won’t be able to raise the alarm and first response teams won’t be able to effectively co-ordinate an emergency situation.

While care homes and hospitals are graciously accepting these smartphone donations and embracing the benefits of digitization, both are fruitless without a reliable mobile signal in the first place.  As a result of building layouts and the raw materials used, ensuring seamless mobile connectivity inside any public building is becoming increasingly problematic.  Materials like galvanized steel, tinted glass and reinforced concrete are the ultimate mobile signal blockers and turn buildings into mobile dead spots. While Wi-Fi may be available, it is often limited to communal areas or the quality of service is poor and data rates very slow. When residents were required to self-isolate in their own rooms, many had limited or no access to Wi-Fi or 4G and were largely cut off from society. 

The only way to deliver the levels of coverage needed for regular and public safety comms is to take the outside signal indoors using mobile signal boosting equipment. Historically this has been an arduous task with long timescales involved due to strict legislation governing their usage. Fortunately, this is no longer the case.

Since Ofcom relaxed the mobile repeater rules, hospital and care home managers can improve mobile converge in their respective facilities using off the shelf equipment that is readily available and affordable. The only caveat is that all deployed equipment must meet certain parameters stipulated by Ofcom. One mobile repeater system that does tick all the required boxes is Cel-Fi by Nextiivity.

As daily life slowly returns to some semblance of normality, a crisis such as this has provided the catalyst needed to review mobile connectivity in all care homes and indeed all public sector buildings. Not only does this provide the perfect opportunity to ensure that these premises are ESN-ready, uninterrupted mobile connectivity is central to transforming unsustainable processes that are both costly and resource-intensive into more sustainable ones. 

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
Francesca

previous post
GHD appointed by Galliford Try to provide highway design services for Monk Bridge development scheme in Leeds
next post
Affordable homes approved on former depot site

Related Articles

Now available from Rinnai – The HD55I

October 25, 2018

Plug and play CO2 monitor keeps workplace safe

February 8, 2021

Demand rises for Actis Hybrid as Covid sparks...

November 12, 2020

Actis welcomes creation of government’s MMC Taskforce

March 10, 2021

Actis welcomes housing minister’s ambition to embrace MMC...

June 9, 2020

Local Electricity Bill could bring power to the...

February 18, 2020

Australia’s largest transport infrastructure project benefits from over...

April 23, 2019

Polypipe bolsters flood defences at new medical centre

February 11, 2019

Pilkington Insulight™ Sun takes the crown at The...

March 18, 2020

Clark-Drain introduces Technodrain into UK construction

October 16, 2019

Latest Issue

Media Partners

Twitter Feed

Tweets by @PSBN_Social


 

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Braeburn Estates hands over innovative social housing scheme to Homes for Lambeth – with “game changing” new development model

    January 21, 2019
  • 2

    500 Cornish-type housing association homes get high-performance insulation in Herefordshire

    February 5, 2019
  • 3

    The 2019 Surface Design Show focus: Workplace and Public Realm

    December 2, 2018
  • 4

    Understanding the current state of the student accommodation market

    April 15, 2019
  • 5

    Skanska completes Royal Papworth Hospital construction

    April 30, 2019

Categories

  • Case Studies
  • Education
  • Features
  • Hospitals + Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Infrastructure
  • Latest News
  • News
  • Products
  • Project News
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos

Recent Posts

  • Sound absorption partitioning from Style

    April 7, 2021
  • Kier appointed to deliver Durham History Centre & Archives

    March 24, 2021
  • Affordable housing development in Dudley

    March 24, 2021
  • Modular classrooms to create 750 new school places in Essex

    March 24, 2021
  • Willmott Dixon launches virtual and physical tours of new Wolverhampton show homes

    March 24, 2021

About Public Sector Building News

 

Public Sector Building News is a monthly leading trade publication that is valued within the industry.

The magazine works as an effective marketing tool for our clients, being seen by key decision makers leads to valued work within the lucrative public sector building industry.

Every issue of Public Sector Building News provides an update of news, current and upcoming projects, industry comment, interviews, articles, features and product information – covering all areas of importance to our readers.

Other Publications

Architect Projects
Construction UK Magazine
Luxury Hospitality Magazine
Luxury Interiors Magazine
Refurb Renovation News
Restaurant Industry Magazine

Editor’s Picks

  • Sound absorption partitioning from Style

    April 7, 2021
  • Kier appointed to deliver Durham History Centre & Archives

    March 24, 2021
  • Affordable housing development in Dudley

    March 24, 2021

Published by Lapthorn Media LTD

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.