Kendal station is the smartest of them all, literally, as it has been transformed using new technologies, digital systems and solutions to become a ‘smart station’.

As one of the smaller stations, it holds 140 staff, 12 ambulances and a range of challenges, including its remote location and close links to the Lake District, which sees high demand during the summer.

Since July 2020, the station has been the focus of a new smart station pilot scheme to transform the hub after an idea, born out of our Clinical and Digital Innovations Team.

Matt Dugdale, Head of Clinical and Digital Innovation at NWAS, said: “We decided on Kendal as our test site after finding there were lots of inefficiencies and wastage in terms of how staff would flow through the building, there was lots of paper used around the site and some issues with security as often generic key codes were shared. With its good connections to local health care partners, we decided Kendal was a really great place to start.”

In a short space of time, the project has seen some key results, including a 70% saving on energy use thanks to a new ultra-smart and energy-efficient lighting system. The team has also saved 49 hours over four months on staff time because of a new access control system that allows clinicians to swipe their ID card to open and close the site’s garage rather than using a traditional mechanical chain.

In addition, an interactive digital wallboard has been introduced to reduce paper wastage across the site. The board allows staff to find different information such as news bulletins and staff briefings and the ability to email the information directly to their personal inbox.

Matt added: “Our staff co-designed the changes with us and feel proud that they were part of the process – they feel that this project has really put Kendal on the map. In time, we hope to roll out these innovations across the trust.”