In Belfast today, the public and private sector with an interest in an emerging new paradigm combining health and enterprise gathered in the Waterfront Studio to hear the two government departments responsible set out the agenda for Connected Health in Northern Ireland, 2008-2011. Time will tell if the initiative is successful, but it is clear that there is commitment to establish a European Centre for Connected Healthcare, partnering with Continua Healthcare Alliance who hold their Winter Summit in Ireland over the next few days.
At the Belfast event, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced additional funding to ramp up telecare services: “Within three years there will be around 5,000 patients in Northern Ireland with chronic disease who will have access to a remote monitoring service for their conditions. This will be one of the largest procurements of this nature in Europe.”
23 January, 2008 at 11:34 am
The success of this initiative will depend on a willingness to collaborate - not just collaboration between technology industry partners but real engagement also between healthcare practioners, community leaders, government and business leaders.
It seems entirely appropriate that the theme of this year’s Davos summit is Collaborative Innovation - let’s hope the business leaders can explain to their troops on the ground what that really means - an antidote to overdosing on extreme self-sufficiency….. formerly promoted as ‘competitive advantage’. Northern Ireland seems like a very good (and willing) place to start.
See http://www.groupe-intellex.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=27
28 January, 2008 at 10:40 am
[...] for their conditions. This will be one of the largest procurements of this nature in Europe.” Maurice Mulvenna’s Blog, brings together the related [...]