The UK Market Guide to SD-WAN for Healthcare

Netify's Market Guide for UK-based IT Decision Makers to choose SD-WAN for healthcare.

Modern healthcare has become reliant on computer systems, medical devices and the underlying connectivity that interlinks them all together. Around the world, the healthcare industry is finding more and more that their traditional network infrastructure can't keep up and are switching over to SD-WAN to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security compliance and improve patient care outcomes.

Leading SD-WAN solution providers and managed service providers (MSPs) are actively supporting healthcare networks enabling UK NHS trusts and private healthcare providers to overcome traditional networking limitations whilst adapting to increasing cloud adoption, telehealth services demands and regulatory requirements.

In this guide we've profiled different SD-WAN services for healthcare and the benefits that each provide.

UK Healthcare Providers Network Compliance Requirements

Healthcare networks in the UK must comply with complex regulatory frameworks, with operations designed around safeguarding patient data and personal health information (such as identity and access management requirements), ensuring service continuity and maintaining operational integrity. Whilst there are a vast range of general regulatory requirements that UK healthcare has to adhere to (such as health insurance portability and the accountability act), we've detailed network-applicable ones with the following key compliance frameworks.

NHS Digital Standards

NHS Digital Standards form the regulatory backbone for all healthcare technology implementations across the UK, stipulating that healthcare data and medical records are collected, managed and exchanged consistently and securely throughout the NHS and social care sector.

The NHS Digital standards encompass seven critical domains:

Information Standards defining data structure and sharing requirements
Technical Standards governing digital service implementation
The NHS Service Standard with its 17-point checklist for health digital services
Clinical Risk Management Standards (DCB0160) mandating risk assessment processes for healthcare organisations implementing clinical systems
Digital Accessibility Standards ensuring inclusive service design
Security and Data Protection requirements
Further guidance through the Digital Health Technology Standard.

The standards work collectively to ensure interoperability, clinical safety, data protection and accessibility, creating a secure environment where technology supports better staff and patient satisfaction.

Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT)

The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is an online self-assessment tool used by all organisations that access or process NHS patient data and systems. The primary purpose of the DSPT is to help these organisations measure and demonstrate their compliance with key data security and information governance requirements set by the Department of Health and Social Care, given that healthcare regulations dictate that NHS systems must protect patient information from data breaches.

NIS Regulations

The Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018 are a set of UK laws designed to improve security and resilience of networked systems - with UK-based healthcare having to utilise the appropriate measures to manage their cyber and information infrastructure against security risks.

UK Data Protection (ICO / GDPR) and Access Management

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs the collection, storage, processing and sharing of personal data. Processing of data must satisfy both an Article 6 condition (for personal data) and an Article 9 condition (for special category data, such as health information).

The ICO is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection, responsible for enforcing the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.

Supporting Applications in the Healthcare Industry with SD-WAN

When choosing SD-WAN for healthcare, it's essential to consider its implications on applications that require support - which may also need integrations for the likes of privileged access management/identity and access management.

EMIS Web (GP System)

EMIS Web is the UK’s leading GP clinical system, enabling appointment booking, patient consultations, electronic medical records, prescriptions and data sharing across network resources and healthcare services.

SD-WAN improves EMIS Web by improving reliable connectivity, reducing system outages, prioritising clinical application traffic, improving security and enabling connectivity from across multiple healthcare sites and remote users.

TPP SystmOne

TPP SystmOne is a centrally hosted clinical system providing a single, shared electronic health record for all patients, used widely across UK healthcare environments.

SD-WAN's dynamic path selection ensures SystmOne traffic always takes the optimal network route, reducing latency and improving clinician productivity during patient consultations. For healthcare organisations using SystmOne across multiple care settings (primary, community, acute), SD-WAN creates a consistent connection experience regardless of location or facility type.

PACS Imaging System

PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) provides the ability to store, retrieve, share and display medical imagery across healthcare facilities, enabling radiologists and clinicians to access diagnostic images regardless of their physical location. SD-WAN's bandwidth optimisation and link aggregation techniques reduce the time required to transfer large imaging files (often 20-500MB per study) between facilities, improving diagnostic workflows and reducing reporting delays.

Further to improving primary connectivity, by providing alternative connection paths, SD-WAN ensures continuous access to archived images even during primary network failures, maintaining business continuity for diagnostic services.

CT/MRI Live Imaging

CT/MRI Live Imaging enables real-time visualisation of internal body structures during diagnostic procedures, requiring high-bandwidth, low-latency connections to transfer complex imaging data instantaneously. SD-WAN's prioritisation ensures sub-second response times for live imaging applications, enabling radiologists to view images in real-time without buffering or delays.

Telehealth & Video Consultations

Telehealth and telemedicine services deliver health services and information remotely, enabling patient-clinician contact, monitoring, education and care beyond in-person visits for improved patient engagement.

Beyond improving bandwidth for live, well-performing consultations, SD-WAN creates segmented, encrypted pathways for telehealth traffic, maintaining GDPR compliance and protecting patient information/patient-doctor communications from unauthorised access and data breaches.

Healthcare IoT & Monitoring

Healthcare IoT & Monitoring utilises medical device connectivity and sensors to analyse patient health data, enabling real-time and remote patient monitoring, all of which is designed to improve patient engagement.

Advanced SD-WAN implementations enable preliminary data analysis at network edge locations, filtering routine measurements whilst prioritising transmission of critical alerts and exceptions - which can significantly improve patient outcomes. On top of this, SD-WAN's network performance analytics help IT teams identify connectivity issues with critical medical devices before they impact patient care, improving equipment uptime and reliability.

Cross-site EHR Systems

Cross-site EHR systems enable secure, real-time sharing of sensitive patient information and health records across different healthcare environments. When patients move between healthcare settings, SD-WAN addresses healthcare challenges, optimising the transfer of medical histories, reducing admission delays and improving care transitions.

It's also worth considering that SD-WAN's logging and reporting features ensuring regulatory compliance with access controls and data protection requirements across all connected sites.

Key Network Deployment Priorities in Healthcare SD-WAN

Clinic-to-Core Connectivity

Through dynamic path selection, link aggregation and backup connection capabilities, SD-WAN enables resilient, high-speed links between remote clinics, GP surgeries and core hospital data centres. Often utilising a mix of broadband, 4G/5G and MPLS, SD-WAN allows for uninterrupted access to central EHR systems and health databases. For example, Norfolk Community Health & Care connected over 150 sites with SD-WAN, gaining improved performance and reduced outages.

The Need For Consistent Security Policies to Prevent Data Breaches

When deploying across multiple sites (or trusts), healthcare providers should consider their security policies to prevent breaches of data. One way this can be achieved is through consistent security policy making - which is made all the more easier through SD-WAN implementation.

Secure Remote Access (and Access Control)

With the growing use of telehealth services, SD-WAN provides the necessary infrastructure to facilitate secure, high-performance access to clinicians working remotely. SD-WAN often integrates zero-trust models, identity solutions and encrypted tunnels, ensuring remote staff access clinical systems safely and efficiently, with policy-based controls to protect patient data and meet regulatory compliance.

Utilising Network Segmentation To Limit Cyber Attacks

To protect patient data and comply with regulations, healthcare providers must isolate clinical, administrative, guest and IoT network traffic, therefore in the unfortunate event of a breach, the issue is contained and cannot 'leak' into other networked systems.

Cloud and Multicloud Connectivity

Cloud services used for EHR, telemedicine and analytics. SD-WAN provides direct secure access, reducing latency.

NHS Case Studies and Deployment References

To improve their network reliability and security across multiple locations, Bupa deployed Cisco Meraki SD-WAN, which ensured consistent application performance for their cloud-based health management systems. This consistency significantly improved patient care and operational efficiency, whilst also providing Bupa with better network visibility and control, allowing for more efficient management of their IT resources and improved data security measures. By prioritising crucial applications and services, Bupa reduced latency and improved the user experience across their healthcare offerings, benefitting both healthcare professionals and patients.

Similar to Bupa, Nuffield Health are one of the UK’s leading healthcare organisations, however, differs by being not-for-profit. Nuffield adopted Fortinet's offering in order to integrate their numerous healthcare facilities, providing a seamless and secure connection for their electronic health record (EHR) systems. Integrating Nuffield’s EHR systems has been integral for improved sharing of data and collaboration amongst healthcare professionals, allowing for better patient care from distributed systems and locations. Introducing Fortinet SD-WAN also enhanced Nuffield Health’s ability to manage and secure their network, with features such as encryption, privileged access and segmentation, each of these improve the confidentiality and integrity of patient data by protecting it from breaches. This was essential for Nuffield Health to remain compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), amongst other regulatory requirements.

Guidance for UK Healthcare IT Decision-Makers

SD-WAN provides the foundation for secure remote access, supporting clinicians and staff working outside traditional facilities. Solutions with integrated Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and UK-based client support minimise latency whilst maintaining security compliance with NHS Digital guidelines.

In response to increasing cyber-attacks on NHS Trusts, SD-WAN solutions should incorporate necessary security features to combat them. Integration with Secure Access Service Edge services provides centralised security management across all sites. Implementation should include redundant links at essential sites and DDoS protection.

SD-WAN can bridge traditionally separate networks, aligning with NHS England's "One Network" vision. Solutions should support multi-domain networking and therefore it's ideal to select access-agnostic solutions compatible with newer technologies such as IoT, AI and 5G.

Utilise the expertise of Information Governance and IT security teams during procurement to ensure solutions meet DSPT, GDPR and NIS requirements. You should also look to mandate appropriate logging, encryption standards and resilience testing to ensure your network system doesn't fall foul of regulations.

Comparison

Vendors

Cisco (Meraki and Catalyst)

Cisco Logo

Cisco provides their SD-WAN offerings through both Meraki and Catalyst platforms, with management of Meraki typically more accessible and Catalyst more ideal for complex use cases. Cisco is offered via MSPs and Cisco Gold partners including BT, Block and Virgin Media O2, offering managed SD-WAN services to NHS trusts and private healthcare providers.

Cisco has particularly strong UK market presence through local offices and European data centres, which has been reflected by uptake as Bupa Health Clinics have deployed Cisco Meraki across multiple UK sites, whilst many NHS trusts, including Barts Health, currently utilise Cisco networking infrastructure.

For both Cisco SD-WAN offerings, the entire Cisco Umbrella portfolio can be implemented to provide SASE functionality and overall network security, ensuring end-to-end network segmentation and consistent policies across all healthcare sites and remote connections.

Cisco also offers native support for major cloud platforms, including AWS, Azure and GCP, which can be essential for cloud-based applications (like EHR systems) or for telehealth services.

When considering their AI integrations, Cisco offers AI-driven analytics, security and IoMT insights.

Pricing follows an enterprise model with Meraki licenses tiered according to throughput requirements. Cisco's quote-based approach allows for customisation based on specific trust requirements, ensuring healthcare providers receive appropriately scaled solutions for their environments.

Fortinet

Fortinet Logo

Well-known for being a leader in cybersecurity, Fortinet's SD-WAN offers security-focused connectivity for UK healthcare organisations. MSPs include BT's managed SD-WAN service and Redcentric's specialised healthcare offerings. Within the UK, Fortinet maintains dedicated offices and support teams for direct assistance.

Nuffield Health, one of the UK's largest healthcare charities, implemented Fortinet SD-WAN to connect its Electronic Health Record systems across multiple facilities. Within the NHS, several Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have adopted Fortinet solutions through managed service providers, including North Central London ICB's deployment via Redcentric.

Given their heavy focus on security, Fortinet's architecture is particularly well-suited for healthcare environments. Offering converged security through the likes of Next-Generation Firewall capabilities, Fortinet offers protection via access management for sensitive data. The platform supports full SASE capabilities, including the likes of privileged access management through FortiPAM, which can be essential for healthcare's branch-based or remote workforces. To complement these branch-based or remote workforces, Fortinet integrates with major cloud providers.

Further capabilities utilise Artificial Intelligence, with AI driving Fortinet's threat detection, analytics and automation capabilities (via FortiGuard, FortiSASE and partner platforms).

From a pricing perspective, Fortinet positions itself in the mid-tier range for hardware and licensing costs. Most healthcare organisations utilise bundled managed service contracts with preferred integrators or via G-Cloud procurement frameworks for custom quotes.

Versa Networks

Versa Networks Logo

Versa Networks delivers its SD-WAN primarily through managed service providers and telecommunications partners - creating an established channel partner network that includes the likes of Zen Internet and Axians.

Whilst lacking a UK headquarters, Versa maintains a London office and delivers UK support and their channel partners provide nationwide technical integration and operational support.

We've seen BMI Healthcare implement Versa SD-WAN specifically to improve performance of critical applications across their facilities. This implementation showcases Versa's capability to meet the demanding connectivity requirements of healthcare environments where application availability and security absolutely must meet needs.

Versa SD-WAN is designed as SASE-ready, supporting SSE integrations for healthcare organisations managing sensitive patient data and requiring strict compliance controls, leveraging the likes of NGFW and unified threat management (UTM) that Versa's portfolio has to offer. Versa integrates with major cloud providers including AWS, Azure and GCP, whilst also supporting cloud-hosted management capabilities.

For healthcare providers looking to leverage Artificial Intelligence capabilities, Versa offers AI-driven analytics and dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) optimisations, improving bandwidths for the likes of remote patient monitoring.

Pricing follows an enterprise model with tiered structures based on bandwidth and number of sites, however healthcare organisations must request customised quotes through Versa's partner network.

VMware VeloCloud

VMware Velocloud Logo

VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN is offered to the UK healthcare market via managed service partners including Exponential-e and Lumen.

With UK offices and cloud gateways strategically positioned across the UK and EU, VMware ensures coverage of network connections is consistent and reliable, which can be essential for healthcare services whilst still maintaining regulatory compliance and improving patient experiences.

VeloCloud has demonstrated their ability to break into the healthcare industry, having been utilised by a large NHS Trust, offering the trust with improved security, scalability and network uptime. Notably, VMware SD-WAN technology underpins several Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) connected services, including NHS Digital's own SD-WAN project.

From a security perspective, VeloCloud offers a range of SASE capabilities through integration with third-party SSE providers such as Zscaler and Palo Alto. Healthcare organisations can therefore benefit from built-in stateful firewalls and network segmentation, whilst full SASE functionality is available by moving to the VMware Cloud Web Security solution.

Offering direct connectivity to cloud services (AWS, Azure and Google Cloud Platform), VeloCloud also integrate with VeloRAIN (VeloCloud Robust Artificial Intelligence Networking), their advanced AI networking optimises, secures and scales distributed AI workloads, especially those operating beyond traditional data centres and at the network edge, all of which is becoming more prevalent within healthcare environments and can only be expected to grow.

VeloCloud is available in subscription-style licensing models and is priced per-edge, frequently bundled into managed service packages. Healthcare providers can access VMware SD-WAN through G-Cloud via authorised partners, with pricing customised per site based on specific requirements.

MSPs

BT

BT Logo

BT, one of the leading UK managed service providers, offers SD-WAN solutions by partnering with several major vendors, including Cisco (both Meraki and Viptela), VMware, Fortinet, HPE Aruba, Juniper Networks and Versa Networks.

BT's SD-WAN services leverage their extensive UK infrastructure, built on the Openreach network, for arguably the most comprehensive nationwide coverage.

Having already got a strong presence in the UK healthcare sector, BT provides connectivity and network services to NHS trusts, private hospitals and healthcare organisations.

BT’s SD-WAN offerings include integration with SASE, supporting the security of patient records through the likes of access management techniques, however the level of support dependent on the vendor platform selected. Through these integrations, BT SD-WAN can offer secure, optimised access to major cloud platforms (AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform).

BT’s SD-WAN services, especially those powered by the likes of Juniper Networks and Cisco, offer AI-driven insights and automation. These capabilities include features such as automated anomaly detection, predictive analytics for network performance and intelligent traffic routing and optimisation. These AI features help reduce manual intervention, improve reliability and improve the patient experience across distributed healthcare environments.

BT typically offers SD-WAN services on a subscription (OPEX) basis, with optional add-ons for advanced security, cloud integration or analytics - also providing managed service options, which can include installation, monitoring, maintenance, and SLAs for uptime and performance.

Virgin Media O2

Virgin Media O2 offers SD-WAN to healthcare environments through their partnerships with Versa Networks and Fortinet, offering multiple solutions to fit differing needs.

With extensive UK coverage serving over 110 NHS Trusts and managing thousands of SD-WAN endpoints nationally, Virgin Media O2 has established itself as a trusted healthcare networking partner. This uptake is due to having demonstrated cost efficiency with documented savings of £137,000 annually for a 47 site NHS Trust that transitioned from MPLS, improved security compliance for sensitive patient data through integrated SASE capabilities and improved network resilience with 40% reduction in VPN costs reported.

Virgin Media's NHS implementation portfolio include projects such as the UK's first 5G connected hospital at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, whilst also supporting multi-site deployments at Norfolk Community Health & Care Trust's 70 sites and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust's 88 sites. One of the key benefits of this is the ability for consistent security policies to be deploy across all sites to maintain compliance to regulatory frameworks, improving patient privacy and ensuring high quality care across each site.

With both Fortinet and Versa Networks SD-WAN solutions coming bundled with security features, Virgin Media supplements these with their managed service models - however they do also offer DIY models, as well as providing direct connectivity to major cloud platforms (AWS and Azure) for further capabilities. The Fortinet SD-WAN and SASE implementations offer real-time threat protection through FortiGuard AI-powered Security Services.

Virgin Media O2's flexible pricing model includes transitional dual-running cost support, making migration from legacy systems financially viable, delivering transparent SLAs tailored to NHS operational requirements.

Redcentric

Redcentric Logo

As a direct managed service provider, Redcentric both designs and implements SD-WAN solutions using Fortinet and Cisco technologies, maintaining a vendor-agnostic approach that enables customisation to specific healthcare requirements.

With headquarters in the UK and multiple regional offices, Redcentric maintains nationwide coverage through their network infrastructure, including HSCN Peering Exchange connectivity. One of the key case studies for Redcentric in healthcare is their deployment of Fortinet SD-WAN across a large Integrated Care Board spanning 400 sites including GP practices and clinics, therefore showcasing their expertise in the industry.

By utilising Fortinet and Cisco, SASE and SSE support are standard, with access to cloud services also included. As with the Virgin Media O2 offerings, by integrating Fortinet SD-WAN and SASE implementations, Redcentric offer real-time threat protection through FortiGuard AI-powered Security Services.

Procurement is through NHS frameworks including RM3825 and G-Cloud, with standard pricing at £60 per device monthly. More complex SD-WAN deployments receive customised quotes, typically structured under multi-year contracts.

Exponential-e

Exponential-e Logo

Exponential-e offers its own proprietary SD-WAN solution, featuring integration with its carrier-class Layer 2 VPLS network for secure, high-performance connectivity.

The coverage that Exponential-e offers for healthcare is shown through their ability to reach 90% of UK businesses via 190 Points of Presence. This means that healthcare environments can be easily reach, including via 35,000 on-net postcodes in London and major hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Due to this, Exponential powers 65% of NHS organisations in London and supports healthcare IT solutions, which is also further backed by HSCN utilising them for secure data sharing, UC Health for remote access and distributed use cases.

Whilst many managed security are considered as add-ons, Exponetial-e does offer managed SASE, which combines SD-WAN with cloud-native security options (ZTNA, SWG, CASB) for hybrid workforces. Further to this, Exponential-e also offers direct, low-latency connectivity to AWS, Azure and Google Cloud Platform, which are improved via AI-driven performance optimisation and AI-powered monitoring in their Cyber Security Operation Centre (CSOC) for threat detection.

Notably, Exponential-e utilise managed tiers (Essential, Premium and Enterprise) with security add-ons such as Next-Gen Firewall and Zero-Day Malware Protection to bolster healthcare network infrastructure.

Cato Networks

Cato Networks Logo

Cato Networks offers a SASE platform, providing global SD-WAN coverage via its private backbone, which includes points of presence across the UK.

US based examples, such as the case study of Complete Care Community Health Center, show how Cato's platform has been used to unify and secure a healthcare network across multiple clinics - essential for ensuring HIPAA compliance and improving patient privacy whilst also offering cost savings.

When considering the cloud services that UK healthcare environments use, Cato’s SASE and SSE solutions are built to support secure, optimised access to leading cloud services. Cato's platform offers direct cloud datacenter connectivity, unified policy management and secure access for any user or location to cloud resources.

Cato's solution leverages multiple uses of AI, with the first being AI-driven automation for policy management, reducing risk, eliminating manual upkeep and simplifying compliance. Secondly, Cato offer a knowledge-base AI assistant powered by Amazon Bedrock and large language models, providing context-aware, step-by-step guidance for users Finally, they offer an automated threat hunting/incident detection assistant alongside routing prioritisation capabilities using machine learning models, with an AI-assisted analyst workbench for faster response times.

Cato typically employs a subscription-based pricing model, often calculated per site, per user or based on bandwidth and security features. Pricing tiers generally depend on the scale of deployment or required features (such as add-on security and cloud connectivity).