Our survey-led approach for clinical environments
1) Clinical discovery & route access
We meet Digital, Estates and IPC to map clinical priorities: care pathways, medication rounds, lift/staff routes, sensitive areas (ICU, theatres), and works windows. Access protocols, inductions and infection control measures are agreed up-front.
2) On-site RF survey & predictive modelling
We measure real attenuation in wards, theatres and ancillary spaces, validate proposed AP positions with test APs and build a capacity model for peak periods (ward rounds, clinics, visiting hours). For refurb/new build, we model on drawings and confirm on install.
3) Wired readiness & PoE planning
We assess risers, containment and cabinets so each AP has the backhaul and power it needs. Where the foundation needs work, we phase remediation around lists and ward schedules. (See Structured Data Cabling and Fibre-Optic Installation Services.)
4) Segmentation & policy design
SSIDs/VLANs separate Clinical, Admin, Guest, Medical/IoT and Facilities traffic. We integrate 802.1X/RADIUS for corporate devices, apply rate limits/QoS for voice and video, and keep guest access safely isolated.
5) Install, validate & handover
Noisy works are evenings/overnight. We validate with real client devices and typical workloads; then we hand over heatmaps, controller backups, as-builts, patching matrices and PoE budgets.
What the finished solution includes
- Right-sized AP mix for wards, side rooms, corridors, theatres, outpatients, imaging and public areas; outdoor-rated APs for entrances and ambulance bays where relevant.
- Clean, certified cabling to every AP, correctly dressed and labelled to a hospital-wide scheme, in ventilated cabinets with the right patch lengths and separation from power. (Learn more about Cable Testing & Certification and our fast-win Data Cabinet Tidy.)
- Resilient backhaul with fibre/copper uplinks sized for peak and, where practical, diverse routing between cabinets to limit blast radius.
- Controller & policy configuration: SSIDs, authentication, VLANs, guest portal, bandwidth policies and QoS tuned for clinical voice and video.
- Monitoring & alerts so teams see AP health, client counts and rogue detection early—reducing incidents that reach the ward.
When the wired layer needs assurance first, we can baseline with a Cabling & Network Audit before RF changes.
Infection prevention, safety & governance
- Infection control practices: Dust suppression, clean-down, sealed work zones and appropriate fixings/materials agreed with IPC. We avoid unnecessary penetrations and reinstate to policy.
- Fire-stopping & materials: Penetrations are sealed to maintain compartmentation; LSZH cabling is specified where required; containment and segregation from power follow best practice.
- Change control & access: Method statements, permits and escorted access are routine; we align noisy works with off-peak periods to protect patient rest and clinical schedules.
- Data protection: Guest isolation, role-based access and secure admin practices reduce exposure; we can integrate with your existing NAC/RADIUS for identity-based access.
- Documentation for audits: Certification packs, outlet schedules, as-builts and change logs support governance and future works.
Designed around real clinical use
In wards, AP placement prioritises bed bays and nurse stations, with tuned cell sizes to keep WOWs and handhelds roaming smoothly.
In theatres, we place APs to avoid shadowing from structure and equipment while keeping pathways discrete, and we plan outages around list downtime.
In outpatients, clinic rooms and waiting areas are modelled for high churn and peaks at start/end of sessions.
Across public areas, guest access is segregated and rate-limited so it never impacts clinical or admin traffic.
For estates & facilities, BMS/IoT devices sit on dedicated SSIDs/VLANs to reduce broadcast noise and secure control systems.