Setting a new gold standard for NHS Trusts everywhere.
In partnering with Shaping Cloud, the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust embarked on a journey of digital evolution, not just modernising but truly revolutionising their operations, setting a new gold standard for NHS Trusts everywhere.

Situation

The Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust, which includes three major NHS Trusts, was undergoing a merger with the aim of transforming healthcare delivery through digital innovation. However, their existing infrastructure was outdated and posed significant challenges. The Trust was reliant on on-premises systems, perpetual licenses, and under-licensed software. Many of their operating systems and databases were outdated and in extended support, consuming valuable resources. Outdated networking and telephony systems further strained operations, creating a need for a bold, forward-thinking approach to overcome these obstacles and unlock their digital potential.

Solution


Shaping Cloud's approach was centred around understanding the unique needs and vision of the Trust. We initiated in-depth consultations with executive leaders and clinical stakeholders to gather insights into their goals, challenges, and aspirations. This information, combined with a detailed analysis of the Trust’s current infrastructure, informed the development of a comprehensive transformation strategy. Our solution went beyond simple modernization—it focused on risk mitigation, cost optimization, and preparing the Trust to embrace cloud-native digital services. We worked closely with the Trust’s tech teams to validate our findings and ensure alignment on the future direction. The strategy covered all aspects, including discovery, application assessments, licensing evaluations, a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model, and a detailed business case.

Benefit

  • Modernised IT Infrastructure: Transitioned from an under-licensed, on-premises system to a flexible, subscription-based enterprise agreement with Microsoft, enabling greater scalability and adaptability.

  • Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Consolidated three separate data centres into a unified hybrid architecture, streamlining operations and reducing complexity.

  • Improved Integration and Collaboration: Simplified and integrated three distinct clinical applications into a cohesive enterprise architecture, enhancing cross-functional collaboration and improving service delivery.

  • Cost Optimisation: Introduced a flexible cloud-based model, reducing costs associated with legacy infrastructure and offering better financial predictability through subscription-based services.

  • Cloud-First Future: Empowered the Trust to embrace cloud-native digital services, providing a solid foundation for future technological advancements and innovation in healthcare delivery.

  • Stronger Compliance and Security: Leveraged Microsoft 365 and Azure to improve security, compliance, and governance across the Trust's digital ecosystem.

  • Increased Productivity: The move to modern workplace solutions, including Microsoft 365, fostered a more efficient, collaborative, and mobile workforce, enhancing overall productivity.

This transformation not only modernised the Trust's IT infrastructure but also positioned it for long-term success, enabling more efficient operations, improved patient care, and a robust foundation for future digital innovation across the healthcare sector.