The Client and The Challenge
Aintree University Hospital – one of four comprising the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – employed Green Monkey to install a large digital screen in their impressive atrium reception area. The contract was awarded by Paul Gorge, head of Major Capital Projects Delivery, after receiving a glowing endorsement based on our previous work fitting six Microsoft Teams meeting rooms by Scott Willis, the Trust’s IT Operations manager.
The first phase of the hospital’s £15m rejuvenation, comprising a new main entrance and upgraded tower block, was officially opened by Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram on 29th July 2021.
The customer initially requested “a big screen more than 3m wide for the main entrance area” and provided a diagram illustrating the room’s layout.
Our director and lead consultant, Graham Mitchell, attended an initial site visit to discuss the client’s requirements in detail, indicative size options and wall measurements. We also assessed probable ambient light levels before convening with the M&E Team from BAM Construction to discuss artificial lighting and power and data requirements.
We followed this up with an initial proposal, offering the client four alternative display solutions at different budgets.
The Proposal
We calculated installed sizes and gave the client four options based on three different technologies at varying budgets. Next, we provided scale visuals showing the size of the screen overlaid onto their site drawing.
Option 1 - Single 98" 4K Monitor with 6mm Protective Glass front 2.2m x1.25m
- This is the most cost-effective option to get a large screen in the reception. These screens offer excellent picture quality and are highly robust due to the protective glass front. These qualities meet the client’s requirements as the atrium is a public space, so the screens must stand up to daily use.
- However, one screen in the largest size available falls short of the client’s request for a screen more than 3m wide.
Option 2 - 2 x 98" 4K Monitor with 6mm Protective Glass front 2.5x2.2m PORTRAIT MOUNT
- This option was to install two of the above screens in a portrait formation with the image split across both screens.As the monitors have a thick bezel, this will be visible in the centre of the picture.
- Again, it’s a robust, durable option but falls marginally short of the client’s sizing request.
- The join line would also be quite noticeable.
- This option put forward a more conventional Videowall constructed from a series of individual 55” monitor screens specially designed for edge-to-edge installation.
- The Videowall format has a slight gap in the picture where the monitors join, but as the join lines are only 3-4mm wide, they don’t negatively affect the picture quality.
- This option meets the client’s screen size requirement and is within budget, but the screens are not quite as sturdy as the options above.
Option 4 - Seamless active LED wall 3.6x2.2m
- This final option was the most expensive option and the best suited for their application.
- Active LED is the same technology used around the edge of a football pitch for advertising - they are incredibly bright even in daylight conditions. This suited the client’s needs because the reception area is in a flood-lit atrium area with a huge glass sliding door.
- LED Active walls are made from a series of aluminium tiles that seamlessly comprise the screen, making them extremely robust.
- The Active LED screen provides a seamless finish with no visible join lines while boasting the same excellent picture quality as the other options.
- The downside of this option was that it pushed the client’s budget.
Next Steps
Once the final proposal and drawings were submitted to the client, we then liaised with them, answering any technical questions about the product options.
On balance, the client decided to go for the most expensive options and opt for the active LED wall.
The Installation
The LED screen was installed in the atrium reception within the agreed timescale,, on budget and without any issue or unforeseen problems. You can see a video of the installation process:
The screen is driven by a 5th Generation CleverTouch Live Signage Player. This was also installed and located in the client’s IT Communications room as per the client request. They access the screen via this portal, which allows them to design templates, upload content, and control the screen remotely.
The Result
All Green Monkey AV projects are delivered with comprehensive system commissioning and a bespoke client training package. With this job, we followed up the installation with a half-day training session for the communications team. This included training the staff on the Clevertouch live signage portal to effectively operate the screen remotely from the Comms room.
The customer was also left with peace of mind as we provided a 5-year on-site maintenance warranty in the unlikely event that they have any problems with the screen. They also benefit from an annual preventative maintenance visit.
The screen was first used for the grand opening on 29th July 2021. The client was thrilled with the results and delighted they chose the full active LED wall. The finished screen was bright and impressive enough to stand out in the hospital’s high spec, bright entrance area. It was also the exact size they wanted, and the project came in on time and within budget.
What The Customer Thought
"From start to finish Green Monkey were great to work with – the Project was very important to the Trust as the screen is the centrepiece of the new Main Entrance at Aintree Hospital, which was recently opened by Steve Rotheram. At the outset, they visited site to view the installation area and co-ordinated fully with our on-site Main Contractor, who was constructing the entrance at the time to ensure no scope gaps. Green Monkey were able to provide various options for the screen size and type, which enabled the Trust to make an informed decision on a product which will have to last the test of time. The installation went without a hitch, and Green Monkey then trained up the on-site operational team to ensure uploading content and maintenance of the screen was fully understood."
Paul Gorge
Head of Major Capital Projects Delivery at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust
"Graham from Green Monkey AV provided our team with in-depth training on Clevertouch Live Signage Player. His expert knowledge has given us great confidence in being able to correctly and effectively promote key messages to our staff, patients and visitors, helping support the care and services we provide. The LED screen Green Monkey installed at Aintree University Hospital featured in press shots of our new main entrance opening, indicating the quality of the final product."
Lewis Downes
Communications Officer (Digital), Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust