Electro-Biomedical Engineering
secure update cycles. Change management capability will be vital. As new digital workflows are introduced, engineering teams will play a central role in supporting adoption across theatres, diagnostics, nursing teams and community settings. Predictive maintenance enabled AI analysis
of device behaviour will allow engineers to address risks before they impact patient care. This marks a shift toward a digitally mature, data literate and systems-oriented engineering profession.
Why asset tracking is foundational - not optional Asset tracking cannot solve every EBME challenge. But without it, almost none of the improvements required by the 10-Year Plan become possible. Reliable utilisation data, efficient rightsizing, timely PPMs, ICS-level coordination, AI supported maintenance, avoidance of unnecessary rentals, and improved patient flow all depend on accurate, real-time device visibility. Just as electronic patient records formed the foundation of clinical digital transformation, intelligent asset tracking forms the foundation of engineering transformation. Without it, the NHS cannot deliver the speed, reliability and integration required by modern care models. Therefore, asset tracking should not be considered an enhancement to EBME. It is the infrastructure that enables EBME to support a re-engineered NHS.
A practical roadmap for EBME leaders Successful Trusts tend to start with high- pressure environments where delays are most visible, and benefits easily measured. Cross functional governance is crucial, bringing engineering, IT, nursing, estates, procurement and finance together from the outset. Hybrid technology approaches ensure the
right tracking modality is used for the right clinical context. Standardisation of tagging and onboarding underpins high-quality data. Continuous measurement demonstrates value and maintains momentum. The greatest benefits emerge when Trusts
move beyond isolated pilots and commit to whole estate visibility, supported by interoperable platforms that can integrate with CMMS, EPRs, patient-flow systems and future AI-enabled engineering tools.
Conclusion: how EBME must evolve to deliver the 10-Year Plan The NHS of the next decade will be more distributed, more digital and more preventative than ever before. Delivering that vision requires
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a medical device estate that is agile, traceable and intelligently managed. Clinical engineering sits at the centre of this challenge. To meet the demands of the 10-Year Plan,
EBME must evolve into a digitally mature, data-driven operational service capable of orchestrating a mobile, interconnected fleet. It must become predictive, intelligence led and operationally integrated across systems and settings. With mechanisms like the Innovation Passport accelerating technology adoption, the need for modern, scalable engineering practices will only intensify. Intelligent asset tracking provides the foundation for this transformation. With the right tools, insight and digital capability, EBME teams will not simply support a future ready NHS, they will help build the infrastructure that makes it possible. EBME is no longer a supporting function; it is the operational backbone of the future NHS. The question for leaders is no longer whether to adopt intelligent asset tracking, but how quickly they can build the digital foundations their organisations now depend on.
CSJ
References 1. Department of Health and Social Care; Prime Minister’s Office; NHS England. Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England.
GOV.UK; 3 July 2025.
https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england- fit-for-the-future
2. Department of Health and Social Care; NHS England; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Department for Business and Trade; HM Treasury. ‘Innovator passports’ set to accelerate cutting-edge NHS care.
GOV.UK; 2 July 2025.
https://www.gov.uk/government/ news/innovator-passports-set-to-accelerate- cutting-edge-nhs-care
3. Lovell T. DHSC to launch ‘innovator passport’ to accelerate tech adoption. Digital Health; 2 July 2025.
https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/07/ dhsc-to-launch-innovator-passport-to-
accelerate-tech-adoption/
4. NHS England. Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England (overview). NHS England; 2026.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-plan/
5. UK Tech News. ‘Innovator passport’ set to transform NHS services. UKTN; 2 July 2025.
https://www.uktech.news/medtech/ innovator-passport-set-to-transform-nhs- services-20250702
About the author
Esther Coleman leads Product Management across Idox’s estates and healthcare portfolio, including the CAFM facilities management platform, the iFIT healthcare tracking solution, and the Engage chatbot and IVR service. She has been with Idox for four years, bringing valuable experience from her previous role coordinating service delivery for a third-party contractor in the healthcare sector. With a strong understanding of both customer and operational challenges, Esther works closely with development, marketing, sales, quality assurance and delivery teams to shape products that meet real-world needs. Her collaborative, customer-focused approach underpins her role in facilitating the iAssets customer panel, ensuring insight-driven discussion and meaningful engagement across the user community.
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