Industry: Healthcare and Public Sector
Challenge: Meeting critical Windows 11 migration deadline across three hospital sites, deploying skilled team via G-Cloud 14 framework, and ensuring cyber security compliance ahead of Windows 10 end-of-support
Solution: Blended managed service team aligned to NHS Standard Operating Procedures, phased delivery model with robust governance, and people-focused consultant selection emphasising adaptability and cultural fit
Results: Successful modernisation of over 5,400 devices across three hospitals to fixed deadlines, strengthened cyber security posture, and formal excellence recognition from Trust colleagues
> The background
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) faced a critical infrastructure challenge with the approaching Windows 10 end-of-support deadline in October 2025. The organisation needed to execute a comprehensive technology upgrade across three hospital sites whilst maintaining operational continuity and meeting stringent NHS governance requirements.
The Trust required a solution that could deliver rapid mobilisation through G-Cloud 14, the UK government's digital procurement framework, whilst ensuring alignment with NHS culture, processes, and cybersecurity standards. Success depended on deploying a skilled team quickly and managing a complex programme to fixed deadlines.
> The challenges
1. Critical Migration Deadline
The Trust needed to complete a major Windows 11 migration before the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline in October 2025. This fixed timeline created significant pressure to deliver at pace whilst maintaining quality standards and minimising disruption to clinical services across three hospital sites.
2. Large-Scale Infrastructure Upgrade
The programme required upgrading over 4,600 existing devices and deploying 797 new ones across three hospital locations. This scale of deployment demanded robust project management, clear governance structures, and coordinated execution across multiple sites whilst ensuring minimal impact on patient care delivery.
3. Compliance with National Cyber Guidance
The Trust needed to ensure compliance with national cybersecurity guidance as part of the migration programme. This requirement added complexity to the technical delivery whilst underscoring the critical importance of successful completion before the Windows 10 support deadline.
4. G-Cloud 14 Procurement Requirements
Success hinged on deploying a skilled team quickly using a supplier included in G-Cloud 14, the UK government's digital procurement framework. This procurement route required rapid mobilisation whilst ensuring alignment with public sector governance and value-for-money requirements.
> The solution
We delivered a blended team that operated as a managed service with clear goals and comprehensive project management support. The approach focused on people, process, and governance to ensure successful delivery within NHS operating constraints.
Key Programme Elements
People-Focused Consultant Selection
Consultants were selected not just for prior experience, but for their skills, aptitude, adaptability, and ability to work within NHS culture. This holistic selection approach ensured team members could navigate the unique challenges of healthcare delivery environments whilst maintaining technical excellence.
Rapid Mobilisation with NHS Alignment
A focused mobilisation phase embedded governance, assurance, and NHS-specific ways of working from the outset. The team aligned to NHS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and operated a phased delivery model that prioritised both quality and velocity.
Robust Management Structures
Clear management guidance was provided through daily stand-ups, one-to-ones, and leadership reviews. Well-structured communications included a task tracker, status reports, and a risk log, ensuring transparency and proactive issue resolution throughout the programme.
Programme Delivery Model Implementation
1. Mobilisation and Governance Phase
We established comprehensive governance structures aligned to NHS requirements, including clear reporting lines, decision-making frameworks, and assurance processes. The rapid mobilisation phase ensured the team was operational quickly whilst maintaining adherence to Trust standards and national guidance.
2. Phased Delivery Approach
The programme operated using a phased delivery model that balanced the need for rapid progress with quality assurance and risk management. This approach enabled the team to maintain velocity whilst ensuring each phase met required standards before progression.
3. Structured Communications and Tracking
Comprehensive communications frameworks included regular status reporting, detailed task tracking, and proactive risk management. These structures provided visibility to Trust leadership whilst enabling the delivery team to identify and address challenges promptly.
4. NHS Cultural Integration
Team members were embedded within NHS ways of working, ensuring alignment with clinical priorities, patient safety considerations, and healthcare-specific operational constraints. This cultural alignment proved critical to programme success and stakeholder confidence.
Successful Programme Delivery to Deadline
The programme successfully delivered a modernisation initiative to tight, fixed deadlines, upgrading over 4,600 existing devices and deploying 797 new ones across three hospital sites before the critical Windows 10 end-of-support deadline.
Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture
The Trust achieved a stronger cyber posture with all devices updated to Windows 11, ensuring compliance with national cyber guidance and reducing vulnerability exposure ahead of the October 2025 Windows 10 end-of-support date.
IT Estate Modernisation
The deployment of new hardware modernised the Trust's IT estate, providing improved performance, enhanced security features, and better support for clinical and administrative systems across all three hospital sites.
Formal Excellence Recognition
Team members received formal excellence recognition from Trust colleagues, validating the quality of delivery, cultural alignment, and professional approach demonstrated throughout the programme. This recognition reflects the success of the people-focused selection strategy.
Value-Focused Partnership
The engagement was marked by rapid staff deployment with open communication, adaptability, and a strong focus on value for the Trust. The approach remained aligned with the approved Business Case, enabling timely mobilisation to reduce risk ahead of Windows 10 end-of-life.
Client Testimonial
"Peregrine's approach has remained aligned with the approved Business Case, enabling timely mobilisation to reduce risk ahead of Windows 10 end-of-life. The engagement has been marked by rapid staff deployment with open communication, adaptability, and a strong focus on value for the Trust that has gained Peregrine staff receiving formal excellence recognition from Trust colleagues."
Nigel Hauxwell, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
> The Conclusion
This case study demonstrates how people-focused team selection combined with robust governance and NHS cultural alignment can deliver complex infrastructure programmes to critical deadlines. The successful migration of over 5,400 devices across three hospital sites validates the effectiveness of blended managed service models in healthcare environments.
The programme's success in meeting fixed deadlines whilst maintaining quality standards and NHS compliance proves that rapid mobilisation and careful delivery planning can coexist when supported by appropriate governance structures and experienced personnel. The formal excellence recognition received by team members underscores the importance of cultural fit alongside technical capability.
The alignment to NHS Standard Operating Procedures and integration of NHS-specific ways of working demonstrates that external teams can successfully operate within complex healthcare environments when proper attention is paid to organisational culture and clinical priorities. This cultural alignment proved as critical as technical expertise in achieving programme success.
The enhanced cybersecurity posture achieved through the Windows 11 migration addresses a critical national priority whilst the IT estate modernisation provides a foundation for future digital health initiatives. This dual benefit of compliance and capability enhancement demonstrates the strategic value of well-executed infrastructure programmes.
