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Quieter Hospitals, Smarter Care

SCFH is delighted to share that we’ve been selected to present at the European Healthcare Design Congress 2026, one of the world’s leading forums for healthcare planning, design and innovation. Our presentation, “Quiet hospitals, smarter care,” has been accepted into the Science, Technology and Digital Transformation stream, which explores how digital innovation, artificial intelligence and smart infrastructure are reshaping healthcare environments. Our work highlights how acoustic environments and intelligent systems can improve clinical outcomes, support staff wellbeing and drive operational efficiency, reflecting our continued leadership at the intersection of technology, design and patient-centred care. Taking place in London from 15–17 June 2026, EHD2026 will convene an international community of healthcare leaders, designers, researchers and policymakers under the theme “Agile not fragile: Designing for resilience, renewal and regeneration.” The Congress will examine how healthcare systems and infrastructure can adapt to rapid technological change, workforce pressures and growing environmental challenges. This year’s programme features a rich mix of keynote plenaries and specialist streams, covering topics such as digital transformation, smart hospitals, climate resilience and new models of care. This year also marks a significant milestone as the Congress moves to its new home at the QEII Centre in Westminster, welcoming a global audience both in person and through a fully integrated digital platform. “We’re delighted to be selected for the European Healthcare Design Congress 2026. Our presentation, ‘Quiet hospitals, smarter care,’ explores how thoughtful acoustic design, combined with intelligent digital systems, can transform healthcare environments. By reducing noise and enhancing sensory conditions, we can improve patient recovery, support staff wellbeing and enable more effective, efficient care. We’re looking forward to sharing our insights and learning from peers across the global healthcare design community.” Taja Quigley The European Healthcare Design Congress remains a vital platform for sharing research, best practice and innovation, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise to shape the future of health systems worldwide. For more information about the congress, visit www.europeanhealthcaredesign.eu SCFH. A modern approach to health consulting. We combine strategic advisory with hands-on delivery, across data, digital and technology, helping health, life sciences and public sector organsisations improve outcomes, productivity and long-term value. Our diverse team brings together deep industry expertise, innovative thinking and a shared commitment to delivering outstanding results for our partners.
Blog Preview Hannah Granshaw Author

Hannah Granshaw

23 March 2026

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Our SmartEPR Ecosystem Service

As your strategic partner, we offer a one-stop supply chain for all components of your EPR journey, from early-stage readiness through procurement, implementation and optimisation. Through our SmartEPR Ecosystem, we provide access to tailored EPR intervention; a co-designed delivery service with your workforce and patients at the heart. This delivers an integrated, service model that aligns with national policy, supports your local clinical vision, and ensures transformation is safe, timely and sustainable. With SmartCo Future Health as your strategic partner, you gain not just a supplier, but a catalyst to achieve your EPR ambitions in a way that is faster, safer and tailored to your organisation’s EPR needs. A year on, and our NHSE Frontline Digitisation commissioned guide, “Making the most of EPR supplier/NHS relationships” remains just as relevant, if not more so. Offering practical insights into how to work effectively with EPR suppliers to deliver safer, smarter outcomes. We hope it continues to be a valuable resource for associates, partners and customers. EPR Guide – Supplier NHS Relationships – May 2024 If you would like to co-design your own EPR Ecosystem with SmartCo Future Health, or book a strategic discussion with our specialist EPR team contact enquiries@smartcofh.co.uk. About Taja With 15 years of consulting experience, Taja has led digital transformation across the NHS, delivering strategic advisory and technology programmes to improve efficiency, clinical outcomes and patient experience. Her focus is on large-scale digital healthcare initiatives, with a keen interest in how AI, predictive analytics and automation are shaping the future of care. At SmartCo Future Health, Taja’s committed to building a smarter, more equitable and sustainable healthcare system for future generations. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.

International Nurses Day

Firstly let me say Happy International Nurses’ Day to all my colleagues past and present. Nursing is not something you do, it is something you are and I knew I was going to be a Nurse from the age of 14. Sitting at my Grandad’s hospital bedside, I watched the nurses go about their work with such calm, competence and care and I just knew. I was asked recently would I still go into Nursing if I was starting over and I absolutely would. It has been and continues to be a varied and meaningful profession. I feel very fortunate to have known early on about my career path, and I had a fabulous 16 years as a bedside nurse, in General Medicine, Palliative Care and then specialising in Intensive Care. What I hadn’t anticipated back then was a move into clinical informatics and then digital nursing. Having said that, I’ve always been a bit of a nerd (often describing myself as a ‘Nerdy Nurse’). When my friends were buying the latest fashion trend I was buying the latest gadget. I also sought to digitise everything, much to my fellow ‘techno-phobe’ colleagues’ dismay, from nurses skills passports to full-scale EPRs. Doing anything but colouring with the kids on paper just didn’t make sense to me. So digital nursing has truly been a revolution of bringing together two passions; patient care and technology. I’m very proud of being the clinical voice and the patient advocate in the digital health agenda. While those in these roles completely get it, the reaction from others has been interesting. I’ve been asked why I left nursing? And will I return to nursing once the ‘project’ is done? I’m still very much a nurse, in everything I do daily. I wholeheartedly believe in the cause of improving and changing the face of healthcare delivery with technology. Reassuringly, the importance is also front and centre of the NHS 10-year plan with the shift from Analogue to Digital. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been in a digital leadership role for the past 6 years and involved in many implementations and attempts at digital transformation. The successes are fundamentally driven by the people, not necessarily the technology (although good, user-centred tech really helps). I have many scars, accolades and lessons learned, and the part of my job I enjoy most is sharing this experience, knowledge and insights, in the hope the next attempt avoids the pitfalls and dines on the successes. I’m delighted to be working with SmartCo Future Health as an associate to provide a clinical insight into the great work they do and to share the little wisdom I have far and wide. True progress in nursing comes not only from compassion at the bedside, but from the courage to challenge the status quo and reimagine care for the future. Inspired by the legacy of Florence Nightingale About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.

Introducing SmartCo Future Health

For over 5 years, SmartCo Health has combined deep healthcare expertise with a drive for innovation.We’ve worked alongside some of the most forward-thinking organisations in the sector, navigating change, driving efficiency and enabling better outcomes for patients and providers alike. The pace of digital transformation in healthcare is faster than ever.To meet this moment, we knew we had to evolve, not only in what we do, but in how we define ourselves. Today, I’m proud to introduce SmartCo Future Health.This isn’t just a new name. This marks a strategic shift in our identity, one that reflects not just where we’ve come from, but where we’re going. A Future-Focused Healthcare Partner SmartCo Future Health represents our renewed commitment to becoming a truly future-focused partner for healthcare organisations. We’re deepening our focus and investment on innovation, digital transformation and strategic consultancy to help our clients adapt and thrive in a fast-changing healthcare market. From supporting digital maturity to navigating workforce transformation and system redesign, we’re here to help shape the future of healthcare, not just react to it. Strengthening Our Team and Mission As part of this evolution, we’re also expanding our team. We’ve welcomed new talent across the business, individuals with fresh perspectives, deep expertise and the ambition to challenge the status quo. Together, we’re building a dynamic, multidisciplinary consultancy our clients need to tackle tomorrow’s most pressing problems. SmartCo Future Health is more than a rebrand, it’s a renewal of our mission: To empower healthcare systems to deliver sustainable, digitally-enabled, people-centred care. The Future Is Here The future of healthcare is here.And we’re here to lead the way with our partners, driving meaningful change, every step of the journey. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.