24 Years of XTAG at Russells Hall Hospital - Upgrading to the Latest Infant Security Technology

Russells Hall Hospital, part of Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, has been using the XTAG Baby Tagging System since 2002. Supporting a maternity service with more than 5,000 births each year, the system has provided infant security for more than two decades.

In 2026, 24 years after the original installation, the Trust has upgraded its maternity department to XTAG's latest Power over Ethernet (PoE) system infrastructure, using modern CAT6 cabling.

Rather than replacing a system with a long and proven history of operation, the upgrade enables Russells Hall Hospital to build on its existing XTAG infrastructure while introducing the latest technology, functionality and system capabilities.

A Long-Term Approach to Infant Security

Healthcare security infrastructure is a long-term investment. For NHS Trusts, replacing an entire system every few years is not always the most practical or sustainable approach, particularly when existing infrastructure has provided many years of reliable service.

Russells Hall Hospital's experience demonstrates how a baby tagging system can evolve over time.

The original XTAG system has been continuously used since 2002. The latest upgrade modernises the underlying infrastructure while allowing the Trust to continue benefiting from an infant security system that maternity staff are already familiar with.

This approach can help Trusts maintain continuity while extending the operational lifecycle of important maternity security and infant protection infrastructure.

Upgrading to XTAG PoE Infrastructure

One of the key elements of the project was the introduction of XTAG's latest PoE system infrastructure using CAT6 cabling.

Power over Ethernet allows compatible XTAG devices to receive both power and data through network cabling, creating a modern infrastructure platform for the system.

For hospitals undertaking maternity department refurbishment or infrastructure upgrades, a PoE-based approach can also provide a more flexible foundation for future system development.

At Russells Hall Hospital, the upgraded infrastructure supports faster communication between devices and provides the platform required for the latest XTAG technology.

New PoE Sounder Strobes

The upgrade also introduced XTAG's new PoE sounder strobes, designed to provide maternity teams with greater control over how system alarms are communicated.

The new sounder strobes include:

• Multiple LED settings
• Different sound profiles
• Day and night alarm profiles
• Network connectivity through PoE

The ability to configure different sound profiles can be particularly useful within maternity environments, where the acoustic requirements of a busy daytime ward can differ significantly from quieter overnight periods.

By providing greater control over audible and visual alerts, the upgraded system gives Trust teams additional flexibility in how security alarms are communicated across the maternity department.

Access to the Latest XTAG Software and Tag Models

The infrastructure upgrade also means Russells Hall Hospital now has access to XTAG's latest user software and baby tag models.

For maternity teams, keeping both hardware and software up to date can help ensure that the system continues to provide the functionality required by a modern NHS maternity service.

The latest system provides improvements including:

• Faster communication between system devices
• Increased tag coverage
• Access to the latest tag models
• Remote configuration capabilities for XTAG engineers
• Updated user software
• Simplified third-party integration

These improvements help modernise the overall user experience while maintaining the core purpose of the system: providing an additional layer of protection against the unauthorised removal of newborn babies.

Integration With Access Control and CCTV

Modern maternity security is rarely based on a single technology.

Baby tagging systems can form part of a wider layered security approach, working alongside measures such as access control and CCTV to create a more comprehensive security environment.

The updated XTAG system at Russells Hall Hospital provides simplified third-party integration capabilities, helping the infant security system work alongside existing hospital security infrastructure.

This type of integration can be particularly valuable when Trusts are looking to coordinate their maternity security systems rather than managing individual technologies in isolation.

Extending the Life of Existing NHS Infrastructure

For NHS Trusts, upgrading an existing infant security system can offer an alternative to complete replacement.

Russells Hall Hospital's experience shows how a system that has been in continuous use for 24 years can be brought up to date through a significant infrastructure and technology upgrade.

The result is an updated platform that provides access to modern XTAG functionality while retaining the benefits of an established system and familiar operational processes.

This approach can also be considered as part of wider Estates, capital planning and asset lifecycle management, particularly where existing infrastructure remains suitable for continued use.

Supporting Maternity Staff With Modern Technology

Technology within maternity services needs to support clinical teams rather than create additional complexity.

By upgrading the system infrastructure, Russells Hall Hospital now benefits from improved communication between devices, updated software and new alarm functionality, while continuing to use a security system that has been part of the maternity environment for many years.

For NHS maternity leaders, this illustrates an important consideration when reviewing an existing baby tagging or infant security system: modernisation does not necessarily mean starting again.

An appropriately planned upgrade can provide access to newer technology while maintaining continuity for staff and the wider service.

A 24-Year XTAG Partnership

Russells Hall Hospital's upgrade represents more than a technology refresh. It demonstrates the potential for long-term investment in infant security infrastructure and the value of being able to modernise a system as technology develops.

After more than two decades of continuous use, the Trust has upgraded to the latest XTAG infrastructure, giving its maternity department access to new functionality and creating a platform designed to support the service for many years ahead.

For hospitals reviewing their existing maternity security infrastructure, the project is a useful example of how regular technology upgrades can improve operational efficiency, maintain reliability and extend the lifecycle of critical safeguarding systems.

Learn More About XTAG Baby Tagging

XTAG Medical provides infant security and baby tagging systems for NHS maternity units, with solutions designed to integrate with wider hospital security infrastructure.

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