NHS Property Services appoints Leeds software firm to “enormous” £3bn estate

Leeds based cloud software specialist Hark Systems Ltd will 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 ecosystem of technology to enable the connectivity of buildings and assets across over 3,600 National Health Service Facilities.

Having grown “enormously” since its establishment in 2013, NHS Property Services now has ownership of over 3,600 National Health Service facilities, one of the largest property portfolios in the UK with a total value of over £3bn.

The “Smarter Buildings Program” aims to implement an ‘Ecosystem’, designed by Hark, which will be a central technological enabler, allowing NHS PS to collect, input, archive, analyse and report on its estate information in a “consistent and efficient” way.

This ecosystem will allow NHS PS to react to facility and management information in real time and control buildings remotely through a digital twin environment by integrating software into their Building Management Systems.

Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, building management systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality are amongst some of the technologies that will be included in NHS PS to control and optimise estate performance in the future.

NHS PS is in the initial stages of its Smarter Buildings program and requires assistance to write the architectural design that will be used to build the Smarter Building platform, the central intelligence hub of the project. Hark is helping NHS PS by offering the provision of technology consultancy services to aid them in the discovery phase of this project.

Jordan Appleson, chief executive officer, Hark, commented:“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 per cent 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.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

• Add me on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date
• And follow Bdaily on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Submit press releases to editor@bdaily.co.uk for consideration.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →