HP in €78.5m ICT deal with NI Dept of Health

22 Sep 2009

Hewlett-Packard has signed a multi-million euro contract with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland to use ICT to boost health and social care in the region.

The four-year contract, which is valued up to €78.5 million, covers ICT needs for regional projects within Health and Social Care.

HP will provide a range of technical and advisory services as well as hardware and software to health organisations in Northern Ireland. It is anticipated the move will boost efficiency across the health and social-care sector.

“Like any modern organisation, Health and Social Care relies on information technology in order to provide an efficient and effective business,” Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said.

“Information technology is used to support a number of front-line services such as theatre management, cancer screening and ambulance booking. These are vital services and as such must run smoothly to ensure people get the right care and treatment.

“With HP as a technology partner, Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland will have improved access to a broad range of goods and services – all of which will provide tangible benefits to people requiring our help,” McGimpsey said.

The contract includes projects such as the modernisation of a Patient Administration System used by all hospitals in Northern Ireland which will use HP technology to deliver a more resilient platform to ensure a higher level of business continuity.

“The exciting thing about this project is that HP will play a vital role in making a contribution through technology to the delivery of quality health care in Northern Ireland,” Martin Murphy, managing director of HP in Ireland, explained.

“Under this framework, HP will provide professional services, products and partner point solutions to Health and Social Care regional projects in Northern Ireland, enabling them to better adapt to today’s demands and meet future challenges.

“By harnessing our global reach, groundbreaking innovation and best practices, HP is able to ensure that technology solutions delivered are best in class,” Murphy added.

By John Kennedy

Photo: Northern Ireland’s Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has signed a multi-million euro contract with Hewlett-Packard to use ICT to boost health and social care in the region.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com