Across the NHS and wider healthcare sector, the reliance on digital equipment has never been greater. From laptops and tablets to handheld scanners, staff depend on IT to deliver timely, high-quality care. But with this reliance comes a challenge: how do hospitals securely store, track, and share these devices without adding pressure to already stretched teams?
For many facilities the answer lies in smart asset lockers, an innovative system designed to automate the distribution and return of shared IT equipment, while keeping everything secure and accessible.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital: A Real-World Example
Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH), one of the UK’s leading paediatric centres, faced exactly this issue. Staff needed fast and reliable access to laptops and tablets, but manual distribution processes were creating delays and opening the door to misplaced or untracked devices.
After seeing the success of similar systems at Coventry & Warwick Hospital, BCH approached Garran to create a more advanced, tailored solution, one that would enhance day-to-day operations, support accessibility, and work seamlessly within the hospital’s busy environment.
You can view the full case study here: SMART Asset Lockers at Birmingham Children’s Hospital
What Made the Difference?
Garran worked closely with the hospital’s IT team to design and deliver a SMART Asset Locker wall that matched both functional and budget requirements.
Key features included:
- Secure smart locking system: IT staff preload devices into the lockers, then issue users with unique access codes. The same code allows simple, secure return.
- Accessibility first design: Lockers were designed to be inclusive, ensuring that staff with disabilities had the same ease of access.
- Custom vinyl wrap: A bespoke finish that blended with the hospital’s existing environment, keeping the solution practical and visually aligned.
- Scalability: The system was built with the future in mind, allowing BCH to expand or upgrade as their needs evolve.
Why This Matters for Healthcare Facilities
The lessons from Birmingham Children’s Hospital extend far beyond one site. Hospitals across the UK are facing similar pressures, balancing the need for secure IT management with limited budgets and growing demand.
Smart lockers offer a clear set of benefits for healthcare environments:
Efficiency gains: Automated systems reduce the time staff spend waiting for or chasing equipment.
Enhanced security: Lockers protect both devices and sensitive data by tracking every use.
Better use of resources: IT teams can focus on strategy and support, rather than manual distribution.
In short, smart lockers allow hospitals to do more with the resources they already have, while supporting the digital-first future of healthcare. Smart asset lockers aren’t just a storage solution; they’re an enabler of better healthcare delivery. By ensuring the right equipment is always in the right place at the right time, hospitals can cut inefficiencies and focus on what matters most: patient care.
If you’d like to discuss how smart asset lockers could transform operations in your own healthcare facility, we’d be happy to help. Book a meeting with our team