Addenbrooke’s Hospital, part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is a healthcare titan serving 20,000 staff, patients, and visitors daily. This bustling hub of medical care and research demands communication that matches its scope. Zinwave’s Active DAS, installed in 2017, wipes out coverage gaps, ensuring staff and patients stay connected, from routine days to high-pressure moments.
Challenge:
Coverage blackspots, especially in Emergency & Assessment areas, once plagued Addenbrooke’s hospital, slowing staff coordination and patient care. Doctors needed instant consults, nurses required real-time updates, and patients sought family contact—needs that peaked during Covid-19 in 2020 when isolation strained connections. Poor service risked delaying care or isolating those in need, a challenge Addenbrooke’s couldn’t ignore.
Solution:
Installed on September 15, 2017, Zinwave’s Active DAS connects to O2, Vodafone, and EE 3-sector base stations, banishing dead zones across the facility. Maintained under a 4-hour Call to Fix SLA—a rigorous standard that guarantees uptime. This comprehensive approach delivers a custom-fit solution for Addenbrooke’s complex needs.
Results:
The DAS fuels staff efficiency, from emergency responses to daily tasks, keeping care on track. During Covid-19 in 2020, it enabled a Critical Care Nurse to FaceTime two elderly patients—married 60 years—across separate wards, a moment aired on BBC News that showcases its impact. O2’s 4G upgrade later that year boosted data capacity without system changes, enhancing coordination and patient support with rock-solid reliability.
