‘Dream client’ secured in contract to help serve £3bn NHS property portfolio
Leeds-based Hark Systems, an energy analytics and industrial IoT business, has been hired to provide expertise and consultancy to design the NHS Property Services Smarter Buildings Program.
The contract, confirmed for an initial three months, will be focused on designing the technology network to enable the connectivity of buildings and assets across over 3,600 National Health Service Facilities.
Having grown since its establishment in 2013, NHS Property Services (NHS PS) now has one of the largest property portfolios in the UK with a total value of over £3bn.
Owning this many properties presents challenges, such as gaining access to critical data needed to improve efficiency of systems and industrial assets.
The Smarter Buildings Program aims to implement an eco-System, designed by Hark, which will allow NHS PS to collect, input, archive, analyse and report on its estate information in a consistent and efficient way.
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, building management systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality are amongst some of the technology which will be included NHS PS to control and optimise estate performance in the future.
Jordan Appleson, chief executive officer at Hark, said: “The NHS is a dream client for many across our team. It’s exciting to be designing something that will enable the connectivity of such a large estate alongside the NHS Property Services team.
“We feel very well placed to deliver the brief and beyond with our background and experience in large complex estates and also highly regulated healthcare labs and buildings.”
Cameron Hawkins, head of energy and environment, NHS Property Services, added: “As owners of 10% of the NHS estate, we play a key role in reducing emissions, helping the NHS adapt to climate change and building healthier communities.
“Our Green Plan is our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainable healthcare.
“As part of our plan, we recognise the important role data and technology plays in helping reduce the environmental impact of the NHS and creating greener, healthier communities.
“Hark’s excellent approach to systems design clearly aligns with this, demonstrating the power of their capabilities in the smart buildings environment and enabling us to support the NHS deliver excellent patient care.”
