Some are approaching or in the middle of long-overdue redevelopment plans and are excited about the changes coming their way in terms of new technology — better camera systems, patient tracking systems and the ability to network video. Others are trying to get buy-in on major projects such as dedicated servers for video or the integration of fire, access control and CCTV to one system.

Compared to a few years ago, the atmosphere is considerably more upbeat, despite continued challenges around financing. Security often plays second to demands for medical systems, but in the last few years, dollars have been made available for expansion and with that comes the opportunity to improve security.

Recently eight managers of security from some of Ontario’s largest hospitals sat down with Canadian Security and Siemens Building Technologies to talk about the challenges they face and the questions they have about implementing new systems in their facilities.

“A lot of us have new construction projects going on and renovations and we’re trying to stress the point with the planning departments in our hospitals who are responsible for new construction or major renovations that they should call us for input on ways to improve security,” says Paul Greenwood, manager of security and safety at St. Michael’s Hospital, a trauma centre in Toronto’s city core with an ER that serves a clientele that ranges from the homeless to Bay Street lawyers.

Even with green-lit projects, security managers like Greenwood know from experience that they also have to look further down the road to the potential costs of these new systems. “We’re trying to encourage the planners to run wire at the time of construction, not after when the patients are already in there,” he says.