Milton Keynes University Hospital Case Study

NHS trust for UK’s fastest growing town enhances data capabilities with Telefónica Tech

Case Studies | 19 April 2019

About the customer

Adopting next-generation data technologies

Milton Keynes University Hospital has implemented Microsoft Azure data and analytics tools in partnership with Telefónica Tech. The data modernisation project has replaced a set of ageing data tools that were about to reach the end of life. In addition, Milton Keynes University Hospital can now support mobile data access and prepare the NHS trust for next-generation data technologies the organisation plans to adopt.

The Challenge

Utilising data at scale

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust is a growing acute hospital serving one of the UK’s fastest-expanding populations. With over 500 beds and evolving into a teaching hospital, the organisation relies heavily on data to meet rising clinical and operational demands.

While data was being collected at scale, it wasn’t being fully utilised. Clinicians and operational teams lacked easy, real-time access to insights—particularly on mobile devices—making it harder to respond quickly in high-pressure environments like A&E.

At the same time, the Trust faced increasing risk from ageing infrastructure. Legacy systems, including long-standing SQL Server environments, were becoming outdated, costly to maintain, and unable to support modern capabilities such as advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning.

The challenge was clear:
Unlock the full value of data to better support staff and improve patient care—while modernising securely and cost-effectively.

The Solution

The image shows two healthcare professionals interacting with eachother

Evolving for the long-term

Working with Telefónica Tech, the Trust undertook a full data modernisation programme built on Microsoft Azure. The approach began with a discovery phase, helping define a clear, phased roadmap aligned to the Trust’s goals. From there:

Phase 1: Built a scalable Azure data platform, including data lake, Databricks, and secure infrastructure
Phase 2: Migrated legacy data and established a consistent, trusted data foundation
Phase 3: Developed intuitive, user-focused reporting through Power BI

A key focus throughout was collaboration and skills transfer, ensuring internal teams could confidently manage and evolve the platform long-term.

Despite being delivered fully remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project progressed rapidly using agile sprints—keeping delivery on track and aligned to critical NHS timelines.

The Outcomes

The transformation has fundamentally changed how data supports both staff and patients across the trust

Better decisions, faster care

Clinicians and operational teams now have real-time access to live data, enabling quicker, more informed decisions—especially in critical areas like A&E.

One version of the truth

A unified data platform ensures consistent, accurate reporting, improving confidence in decision-making across the organisation and with external stakeholders like NHS England.

Improved patient outcomes

With better visibility of patient flow, waiting times, and resource allocation, teams can respond more effectively—enhancing both patient experience and clinical outcomes.

Empowered staff

User-friendly dashboards and mobile access mean data is now in the hands of those who need it most—supporting staff to act, not just analyse.

Future-ready foundation

The Trust is now positioned to adopt advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning, unlocking further improvements in care and efficiency.

Customer Quote

“

“The world is changing, and there is a need to have data fed to mobile end-user devices so that our colleagues can make use of the data we have as a trust. Before, we were collecting a lot of data, but we were not using it effectively,”

Aniruddha Dwarakanath,

Head of Information, Milton Keynes University Hospital