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Courtney Thorne
Wireless Nurse Call Systems
The UK’s foremost pioneer of industry-leading wireless nurse call systems for healthcare providers
Since 1968, Courtney Thorne has been delivering industry-leading wireless nurse call systems for hospitals, care homes, and other healthcare providers – all across the UK and beyond.
Conceptualised and manufactured by our expert research and development team, across three locations in the south coast of England, our wireless nurse call systems stand out as an intuitive, modern, and exceedingly reliable piece of healthcare technology – especially when compared to the traditional, solely hard-wired solutions.
We recognise that the naturally frantic and busy environments of healthcare organisations, require solutions that are non-disruptive, easily accessible, and efficient. With our best wireless nurse call systems, we can deliver all of this and more.
On this page, you can explore what makes a wireless nurse call system tick, how they differ from more traditional wired and hybrid solutions, and why you should choose a Courtney Thorne system in order to make use of this smart wireless technology.
Our Range of Wireless Nurse Call Systems
In the catalogue below, you can browse through all of our best wireless nurse call systems for hospitals, care homes, and more. To see our full catalogue of nurse system solutions, including our CT Cloud Remote Reporting technology, and our hybrid Connect Health nurse call system for care homes, you can visit Our Nurse Call Systems hub.
Altra Care
We tailor our smart Altra Care nurse call system to suit the specific needs of your care home’s staff and residents. This system typically includes wireless call buttons, pull cords and wearable single-touch devices, facilitating easy alarm calls from carers and residents alike with just one click.
Altra Health
Our Altra Health nurse call systems are built with the hospital environment in mind, and bring live data from modern cloud reporting software into the hands of decision-makers. This system works alongside your nurses and staff to help them monitor and improve the safety of your patients.
Connect
The Connect nurse call system is our newest wireless solution, designed specifically with care homes in mind. Using cloud reporting technology and integrated care planning solutions, the Connect system delivers reporting functionality while supporting CQC compliance.
What is a Wireless Nurse Call System?
A wireless nurse call system is a communication solution used in healthcare environments to enable patients or residents to call for help. Wireless nurse call systems are typically used in hospitals, care homes, assisted living facilities, and similar settings where continuous communication between those receiving care and staff is required. They rely entirely on wireless smart technology in their installation and day-to-day applications, and do not feature any of the hard wiring seen in more traditional models of wired nurse call systems.
How does a Wireless Nurse Call System work?
A wireless nurse call system consists of call buttons, usually seen in the form of wall-mounted buttons, pull cords, bed-side controls, or wearable pendants. These calling devices, when activated, wirelessly send signals to a central control unit. Depending on the model, these signals may also be sent directly to staff members using handheld devices, pagers, or computer terminals, allowing staff to receive and respond to calls on the go. Courtney Thorne’s wireless nurse call systems are designed to be adaptable to both hospitals and care homes, ensuring that communication between the individuals receiving care and their caregivers is always available at the press of a button.
What are the Components of a Wireless Nurse Call System?
A wireless nurse call system, including the solutions offered in our product range, is comprised of various different pieces of wireless technology; such as the following components:
| Wireless NCS Component | Component Description |
|---|---|
| Call Buttons | A wireless nurse call system will utilise wall-mounted or bedside nurse call buttons that patients or residents press to request assistance. |
| Radio Technology | Our wireless nurse call systems use the dedicated European 869.2MHz social alarm frequency, featuring reduced interference, anti-collision technology, and encryption for data protection. |
| Wireless Receivers | Wearable pendants and wrist devices are a feature of wireless nurse call systems. They enable patients or residents to raise alerts from anywhere within range. |
| Control Panels | Our wireless systems make use of touchscreen panels, which can be situated anywhere in your care facility. These panels allow staff to manage and access calls and reports from multiple areas. |
| Mobile Devices | Smartphones can be a staple of wireless nurse call systems. Through the Altra Go app, mobile devices allow staff to access data while on the go. |
| Overdoor Lights | Our systems make use of wireless visual indicators that are placed above doors; signalling an active call or the presence of staff in a room. |
| Reporting Software | Our CT Cloud reporting software is used in wireless systems to allow staff to manage call activity, log response times, and produce reports. |
| Integration | Our wireless nurse call systems can be integrated with existing systems and technologies very easily. |
What are the key differences between hybrid, wired, and wireless nurse call systems?
When categorising a nurse call system by its chosen technology of choice, there are two other main types of system to be aware of: wired nurse call systems, and hybrid nurse call systems. A wired system is one that is hard-wired into a building’s infrastructure via extensive cabling, while a hybrid system incorporates elements of both systems. Here are the key differences between these three systems:
- Installation: A wireless nurse call system, by nature of not requiring extensive construction work and invasive practices, is generally quicker to install than a wired or hybrid system.
- Maintenance and Reliability: Because they utilise wireless technology, wireless systems are technically susceptible to interference and signal issues. A wired system would not have these issues, though problems with the wiring can be both costly and difficult to diagnose.
- Flexibility: A wireless system is easy to move, update, and maintain, owing to the lack of a hardwired structure and the significant modifications that these systems require.
Cost: Compared to a hardwired or hybrid system, a wireless nurse call system usually has higher initial hardware costs, but potentially lower overall expenses due to the reduced installation time and required labour.
Why choose a Courtney Thorne nurse call system?
Easy Installation
With a Courtney Thorne wireless nurse call system, the installation process is incredibly un-invasive and swift. The lack of wiring means that a bedside installation of these systems can be completed in mere minutes, as opposed to days – limiting the upheaval and stress on your staff, nurses, patients, and residents.
Reliable Connectivity
Our best wireless nurse call systems offer seamless, secure, and fast connectivity to a wide variety of different devices and accessories. With modern, built-in Bluetooth software and sensors, our wireless solutions can easily integrate with smartphones, tablets, and more – ensuring optimised connectivity and convenience for your staff while they deliver care.
Limitless Flexibility
Another of the strongest advantages of choosing a Courtney Thorne wireless nurse call system, is in its adaptability. With none of the limits enforced by hardwired, cable terminal locations, a wireless system is modular in nature, and can easily adapt and change with the layout and structure of your ward or care facility without disrupting anything.
Significant Savings
Opting for a wireless nurse call system, over a traditional, hardwired solution, can lead to significant savings over time, requiring little in the way of mains power, installation costs, and other compromises. Our studies have even shown that a wireless nurse call system can lead to a measurable cost-benefit of as much as 40%, which you can learn more about in our wired vs wireless article here.
FAQs
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Can wireless nurse call systems be integrated with other systems?
Yes, at Courtney Thorne, our wireless nurse call systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with a variety of healthcare technologies. Our systems can connect with electronic medical records (EMR), patient monitoring systems, and alarm management systems. Additionally, our wireless nurse call systems can integrate with devices such as smartphones and pagers, ensuring that your staff receive call notifications wherever they are within the healthcare facility.
Our Altra Go app exemplifies this integration by delivering nurse call information directly to staff Android devices, including details such as the location, source, severity, and type of the alert – just as it appears on the main touch screen and mini/micro touch displays of our wireless nurse call systems.
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Are wireless nurse call systems reliable?
Yes, at Courtney Thorne, we build our wireless nurse call systems to be highly reliable in a wide range of healthcare settings. Made in Britain with the best of British engineering, our systems use the dedicated 869.2 MHz social alarms frequency, which is reserved across Europe for critical life-safety applications, reducing the risk of interference from other wireless equipment. We also use ‘listen before talk’ technology, which prevents signal overlap and ensures smooth communication between devices.
Our wireless nurse call systems have been successfully installed in complex buildings old and new, while also being fully compliant with UK healthcare regulations (including HTM 08-03). To support ongoing performance, we offer full service contracts and warranties, giving you peace of mind that your system will remain in excellent working order in the long term.
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What is the typical range of a wireless nurse call system?
The typical range of a wireless nurse call system will vary, based on factors such as the structure of the building, the materials of said building, and more. Our wireless nurse call systems are designed to provide comprehensive coverage across various environments, and have been successfully installed in a variety of different settings, including large-scale facilities and buildings constructed of solid stone. For instance, our equipment has been effectively deployed in sites covering over 40 acres, ensuring that patients and staff remain connected throughout expansive areas.
We recognise that each healthcare facility has unique requirements and challenges. Therefore, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your specific needs. Our team is available to assess your building’s suitability and provide tailored solutions to ensure optimal coverage and performance of your wireless nurse call system.
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How is a wireless nurse call system installed?
At Courtney Thorne, we have developed a streamlined process for installing our wireless nurse call systems, ensuring minimal disruption to your facility. Our systems are designed for rapid deployment, often completed within 1–2 days for smaller installations, and up to 4–5 days for more complex setups. The installation process involves placing wireless call devices, such as wall-mounted buttons, pull cords, and wearable pendants, throughout your facility. These devices communicate wirelessly with central monitoring units and staff mobile devices, eliminating the need for extensive cabling, trunking, or wall modifications.
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Can existing nurse call systems be upgraded to wireless?
Yes, at Courtney Thorne, we offer seamless upgrade solutions for existing nurse call systems, transitioning them to our advanced wireless technology. Our wireless nurse call systems are designed for straightforward installation, eliminating the need for extensive cabling and minimising disruption to your facility. This approach is particularly beneficial for older buildings or those with structural limitations, where traditional wired installations may be challenging to maintain. Our wireless nurse call systems are modular and scalable, allowing for easy expansion and integration with existing infrastructure.
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What maintenance is required for wireless nurse call systems?
A wireless nurse call system is an important product in a variety of different healthcare environments, and as such, benefits greatly from regular maintenance. At Courtney Thorne, we provide comprehensive maintenance options for our wireless nurse call systems to ensure they remain reliable, compliant, and efficient within healthcare environments.
Our annual service contracts, available in four levels of cover, include scheduled preventative maintenance, system certification, free battery replacements, remote diagnostics, priority repair services, and access to loan equipment during repairs. These contracts are CQC-compliant and offered on flexible monthly or annual payment terms. We also operate a dedicated Technical Assistance Centre, open weekdays, with a 24-hour Emergency Helpline for contract clients. To support on-site teams, we offer detailed user guides and manuals to aid in day-to-day operation and troubleshooting.
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Are wireless nurse call systems compliant with healthcare regulations?
Yes, our wireless nurse call systems are fully compliant with UK healthcare regulations. Both our Altra Health and Connect Health systems are designed in accordance with the Department of Health’s HTM 08-03 guidelines, ensuring they meet the standards required for use in NHS and private hospital environments.
We utilise Category 1 radio technology, which is specifically intended for applications where human life is at risk. This ensures our systems offer exceptional reliability, minimal interference, and safe operation in critical care settings. Our commitment to regulatory compliance and patient safety underpins the design and delivery of every system we install across hospitals, care homes, and other healthcare facilities throughout the UK.
Courtney Thorne
C-T Centre
Elliott Road
Bournemouth
United Kingdom
BH11 8JS
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Copyright Courtney Thorne Ltd
Registered in England and Wales. Company No 04319825.
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