The hospital’s primary challenge was to enhance security without exceeding stringent public sector budget constraints while ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations
A leading NHS teaching hospital in Northeast England has upgraded its security infrastructure with AI-enabled surveillance technology, integrating i-PRO X-Series edge-processing cameras with Milestone’s XProtect Video Management Software (VMS). The hospital, recognised for its innovative approach to healthcare, has transitioned from outdated analogue CCTV to a fully digital, AI-powered system to improve safety and efficiency across its vast campus.
Addressing Security & Budget Challenges
The hospital’s primary challenge was to enhance security without exceeding stringent public sector budget constraints while ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations. With a large and complex campus, upgrading existing non-AI cameras to incorporate advanced monitoring capabilities was also a key concern.
“The primary challenge was upgrading the system within budget limitations while maintaining a high level of security and operational efficiency,” said Chris Lakin, Director at Oracle Vision, the system integrator overseeing the project. “This client wanted a solution that could integrate with their current infrastructure, provide advanced AI capabilities to better protect hospital patients, staff, and assets while being adaptable for future needs.”
AI-Powered Security Upgrade
Following a comprehensive assessment, the hospital installed 25 i-PRO X-Series edge-processing cameras, a solution that seamlessly integrates with the existing infrastructure while introducing AI functionality to non-AI cameras. The cameras’ AI Processing Relay feature allows older cameras, including those from different manufacturers, to gain AI-powered capabilities, extending the life of the hospital’s surveillance system and reducing the need for a complete overhaul.
“It was a bit of a no-brainer for the hospital. With i-PRO, they didn’t need to replace their entire fleet of cameras to gain important new functionality. We were able to upgrade their existing system by adding AI capabilities to 75 existing non-AI cameras, helping them maximise value while staying within budget,” said Lakin. “The flexibility of i-PRO’s AI Processing Relay app is impressive. It turns any connected camera into an AI-enhanced solution. This system now allows the hospital to achieve a level of security and operational insight that wasn’t previously possible with their older equipment.”
Advanced AI Capabilities For Enhanced Security
The i-PRO X-Series AI cameras come with on-site learning features, allowing the hospital’s security team to train them to recognise specific objects, such as vehicles or individuals, and detect unusual activities in sensitive areas, including emergency entrances.
AI-driven analytics further enhance security operations by helping manage crowd control, identify suspicious behaviour, and integrate with the hospital’s Paxton access control system. The cameras are linked to the hospital’s XProtect Smart Wall, where AI-detected events—such as security breaches or unauthorised access—are displayed in real time, enabling rapid response.
The system also incorporates i-PRO’s Privacy Guard, an AI tool that blurs patients’ faces or bodies in video footage, ensuring compliance with strict privacy regulations while maintaining high security standards.
Future-Proofing Security With AI Edge Processing
Powered by Ambarella’s AI SoC (CV52), the i-PRO X-Series cameras perform complex analytics at the edge, reducing the strain on the hospital’s network. Each camera supports up to nine AI applications, making them adaptable for future upgrades without requiring additional hardware investments.
Designed for varied lighting conditions, the cameras feature Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) up to 144dB, 6MP resolution, and infrared illumination up to 70 metres, ensuring clear, high-definition video capture at all times.
Cost-Effective, Scalable Security Solution
By implementing 25 i-PRO X-Series AI cameras, the hospital effectively upgraded AI capabilities across 100 surveillance cameras while remaining within budget. The enhanced system provides real-time alerts, improved monitoring, and automated security management, ensuring a safer environment for staff, patients, and visitors.
This deployment reflects a growing trend within the NHS to leverage AI-driven surveillance for improved public safety while maximising existing investments—a crucial step towards future-proofing security infrastructure across healthcare institutions.
