The partnership was signed between the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Partners International Medical Services (Partners HealthCare), a major healthcare provider in the United States.
The partnership will provide opportunities for shared research; collaboration in clinical services; the development of knowledge management strategies and opportunities for training and educational exchange.
Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, said: “The alliance between the Department and Partners HealthCare is an important step in ensuring that Northern Ireland is at the forefront in developing and implementing new technology and innovative working practices that will deliver high quality and accessible health and social care for patients in Northern Ireland.
“The relationship will give Northern Ireland access to leading edge developments in healthcare such as remote monitoring programmes. It will also allow professionals working in healthcare and life bioscience here to share their knowledge and experience with their American counterparts.”
The partnership will complement the work that will be taken forward in the wake of the establishment of the new “European Centre for Connected Health” announced by the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, on Tuesday 22 January.
Notes to Editors:
- Partners HealthCare is an integrated health system founded in 1994 by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to its two academic centres, the Partners system also includes community and speciality hospitals, community health centres, a physician network, home health and long-term care services and other health-related entities.
- Partners HealthCare is one of the leading biomedical research organisations in the United States, and a principle teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
- Partners HealthCare is a non-profit organisation.
- The Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties was signed on Thursday 24 January by Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Mr Jay Pieper, President of Partners International Medical Services.
- The establishment of the European Centre for Connected Health, based in Northern Ireland, was announced by the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, at the “Developing a Connected Health Economy” conference held in the Waterfront Hall on Tuesday 22 January. This is one of a range of initiatives announced by the Minister, including a major initiative in chronic disease which will provide for 5,000 people to have their condition remotely monitored from home; a new digital picture archiving and communication system which will abolish film x-ray and allow electronic storing and sharing of diagnostic images between hospitals and enabling GPs to access patient x-rays. Further developments will be outlined in more detail in a 5-7 year strategy due to be produced by December 2008.
- Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 2841, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
