Member Article

Newcastle biometrics firm completes Connect Health work

Physiotherapy provider Connect Health has called upon a local biometric reader firm to install a new security system at its Quorum Business Park base.

The biometric fingerprint scanners, designed and installed by Newcastle-based firm ievo, have replaced the healthcare provider’s previous fob system at its 8,000 sq ft head office to provide greater security for its 100 patient care advisors who work on-site.

The company, who moved to the new HQ in April 2015, are the UK’s largest supplier of musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy services, with over 150 clinical experts on its books working out of its head office, as well as GP practices, leisure centres and hospitals.

With a sizeable call centre also on site and staff working different hours across a 12 hour day, the centre struggled to keep on top of people coming and going at the building.

Andrew Walton, Executive Chair of Connect Health, said: “We now deal with over 250,000 referrals per year and treat some 3m people annually.

“The growth of the company required the move last year into the new centre where different teams of Patient Care Advisors and support staff tended to work different hours.

“Without line of sight into all areas, it would have been impossible to ensure the building was cleared in case of fire, and we looked very carefully at available systems which as well as biometric readers, included numeric pads, key fobs and swipe cards.”

Connect Health decided to call upon ievo, who are based at the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, to install its biometric fingerprint sensors at the Quorum building to allow the firm to keep on top of headcount and add to the security of sensitive patient data.

The biometric firm recently showcased its product range at Europe’s largest security exhibition, Security Essen, in August and attracted £200k in funding last year.

Following their installation, Andrew commented: ““We’ve been delighted with their performance since installation and the whole process has exceeded our expectations.

“With access to sensitive patient data, we are also shortly seeking accreditation to ISO 27001 for our Information Security Management System (ISMS) and the integration of the ievo fingerprint readers gives us a good start in demonstrating the importance we place on our data security.”