Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is widely recognised for its innovative approach to healthcare. A key component of this vision is the Northumbria Health and Care Academy, a state-of-the-art facility designed for staff training, events, and advanced clinical simulation.

To support its cutting-edge infrastructure, Northumbria Healthcare Trust sought a technology partner with deep expertise, agility, and specific insights into the healthcare sector. They chose Forfusion, as a trusted Cisco partner, to implement a secure and future-ready network. A crucial aspect of this transformation was the deployment of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), which enhanced network security and streamlined access management.

“We chose Forfusion for a few different reasons... they have a very high-calibre engineering skillset, and they’re local, so they can react quickly. That’s key when a building like this goes live from day one with all features fully functional.”

Mark Holland, Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The launch of the Northumbria Health and Care Academy required a fully operational, secure, and scalable network that mirrored the complexity and reliability of a hospital environment.

Key requirements included:

• Implementing a next-generation Wi-Fi network across a large, multifaceted facility.
• Deploying Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for secure authentication, network segmentation, and device onboarding, which was a first for the Trust.
• Delivering seamless and safe experiences for staff, students, and frequent external visitors.
• Ensuring enterprise-grade reliability to support conference rooms and immersive training environments.

Deploying Cisco ISE in a healthcare setting brought additional challenges:

• Navigating strict compliance and data protection requirements.
• Integrating with legacy systems and complex network infrastructure.
• Avoiding disruption to clinical and support operations.

"Although this isn't a patient site, it has all the technology that a hospital site would have...... We can take the learnings from this site, take the user confidence and apply it to the wider trust."

Bob Beckwith, Infrastructure Innovation & Transformation Manager, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

To meet the Health and Care Academy’s complex requirements, Forfusion worked closely with Northumbria Healthcare Trust's IT and networking teams to deliver a secure, scalable Cisco-based infrastructure built on flexibility, collaboration, and trust.

Key components included:

• Cisco Catalyst Switching for high-performance connectivity.
• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for secure access, identity management, and network segmentation.
• Advanced Wi-Fi to support high-density, high-demand environments.
• Expert guidance on ISE deployment models and integration strategies.

Forfusion’s agile delivery and hands-on approach ensured minimal disruption while adapting to Northumbria Healthcare's evolving needs.

Thanks to close collaboration with Forfusion, the deployment delivered more than just technical success; it established a scalable model for future digital initiatives across the Trust.

Key achievements & Outcomes:

• Seamless day-one deployment with zero user disruption.
• High-performance, reliable Wi-Fi across boardrooms and immersive tech environments.
• Secure, segmented networks protecting patient and visitor data.
• Enhanced network visibility, control, and data compliance.
• Reduced operational risk across critical IT systems.
• Proactive lifecycle planning with continuous support.
• Strategic, long-term partnership built on trust, sector expertise, and responsiveness.

“They truly understand us as a healthcare sector, a network team, and a as a company. That insight makes all the difference.”

Mathew Burns, Operation Infrastructure Manager, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Whether you’re building a new facility, modernising your existing infrastructure, or planning your digital transformation roadmap, the right partner is critical.

Talk to our team to discover how Forfusion can help you build a secure, scalable, and future-proof network.