Four NHS Trusts Collaborate with Sectra for Enhanced Patient Care through Cloud Imaging Solution

In a significant development for healthcare technology, four NHS trusts in the UK have announced their collaboration with the international medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company, Sectra. This partnership aims to implement Sectra's cloud-based enterprise imaging solution, known as Sectra One Cloud, which promises to enhance patient care across 15 hospitals in the Lancashire and South Cumbria regions.

A Unified Solution for Enhanced Care

The participating NHS trusts—Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, East Lancashire Hospitals, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay—already have experience with Sectra’s imaging solutions. With this new agreement, these trusts will migrate to the cloud service, which will streamline their operations and improve the management of increasing imaging volumes.

Emma Jackson, Lead for Digital Imaging at Lancashire South Cumbria, emphasized that transitioning to the Sectra cloud solution will allow healthcare professionals to focus less on managing IT infrastructure and more on supporting clinicians and patients. The unified platform will bolster collaboration by providing clinicians with seamless access to essential patient data, thereby fostering cooperative care across different sites.

Meeting Capacity Demands

This integration is critical as it provides a robust response to the growing demands on imaging services faced by these trusts. Serving approximately 1.8 million residents, it is essential that these facilities maintain high standards of patient care while efficiently managing increasing patient loads.

The Sectra One Cloud solution enables better cybersecurity measures and helps simplify IT management for the participating NHS trusts. The innovative fully managed service will allow for regular monitoring, optimization, and upgrades, significantly alleviating the workload on IT teams. Additionally, this cloud-based framework is adaptable, allowing for scalability in response to rising demand and the ability to incorporate further imaging specialties as needed.

Financial Implications and Future Innovations

Signed during the second quarter of Sectra's 2025/2026 fiscal year, the contract for the cloud imaging service is valued at £27.5 million, with £14 million guaranteed. Such an investment underlines the trust that NHS administrators place in Sectra’s capability to meet their operational needs effectively.

Moreover, the move to cloud technology facilitates the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, into clinical workflows. Jane Rendall, Managing Director for Sectra UK and Ireland, noted that the transition not only enhances security but also ensures that the trusts remain at the forefront of medical technology innovation without the limitations imposed by traditional on-premises setups.

Comprehensive Imaging Solutions

Sectra's enterprise imaging solution is strategically designed to offer a complete framework that meets various imaging requirements while simultaneously lowering operational costs. This modular approach allows healthcare providers to expand their services efficiently, making the transition from one specialty to another smoother and more cost-effective.

As the demand for advanced healthcare services continues to grow, the collaboration between these NHS trusts and Sectra represents a forward-thinking approach to overcoming current challenges in medical imaging. The ultimate goal is clear: improved patient outcomes through efficient and collaborative healthcare practices.

For more information about Sectra and their services, visit their official website. By embracing innovation and adapting to the changing needs within healthcare, they are paving the way for a better-connected and efficiently managed patient care landscape.