Abloy UK is urging NHS Trusts and healthcare providers to use remaining end-of-year estates budgets to invest in digital access solutions that can improve medicines management, safety and operational efficiency.
With the financial year drawing to a close, the company has warned that unspent capital and estates funds risk being lost, and is encouraging healthcare leaders to prioritise upgrades that deliver measurable clinical and compliance benefits.
The call follows recent national research indicating that around 237 million medication errors occur annually in England, with an estimated 66 million considered potentially clinically significant. Avoidable medication errors are reported to cost the healthcare system more than £98 m each year and contribute to over 1,700 avoidable deaths.
Abloy UK says the figures highlight the ongoing challenges associated with medicines management across hospitals, care homes and community settings, and underline the need for improved control, visibility and auditability of access to medication storage areas.
Simon Wilson, Business Development Manager – Healthcare at Abloy UK, said that the period before the April budget reset represents a “narrow but critical window” for trusts to act.
“Investing now allows trusts to strengthen access standards and protection of clinical areas before year end,” he said. “These upgrades deliver visible and tangible improvements, as well as measurable returns in safety, compliance and nursing efficiency, providing a stronger foundation for the new financial year.”
To support this, Abloy UK is promoting its PROTEC² CLIQ electronic and programmable locking system for use in controlled-drug storage, treatment rooms, drug cupboards and other high-risk areas.
