Digital transformation group Telefónica Tech is creating 14 jobs in Belfast after securing the tender to provide a range of infrastructure technology solutions to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) for the new digital children’s hospital.
When the facility opens next year, digital technology will be involved in everything from electronic health records to the systems controlling the building.
Telefónica Tech (www.telefonicatech.com), part of the Telefónica Group, offers services and integrated technological solutions for cyber security, cloud, IoT, big data and blockchain.
In its five-year deal with CHI, Telefónica Tech will build and manage the hospital’s IT infrastructure, with a significant focus on cyber security.
It will also oversee all servers, storage, security, PCs, printers, workstations on wheels and laptops in the new hospital. The platform will also support the clinical applications that will integrate to the hospital’s new electronic patient record system (powered by EPIC).
Ellen Dickson, vice-president of enterprise health at Telefónica Tech UK&I, who is based in Belfast, said: “The new children’s hospital is set to transform children’s healthcare in Ireland as a centre of excellence.
“The IT infrastructure and services will underpin the vital clinical services and are therefore critical to the success of the hospital.
“Telefónica Tech UK&I’s strategic healthcare practice has market-leading expertise, thanks to the skills and experience of our staff, and has successfully delivered innovative and complex health IT projects with some of the largest health trusts in the UK.”
Adrian Rath, chief technology officer with Children’s Health Ireland, added: “We’re delighted to work with Telefónica Tech for the next five years, to create world-class digital infrastructure in a world-class digital hospital.
“CHI delivers around 200,000 episodes of care to patients in a year. The new hospital will be an incredible place for clinicians to provide that care to patients.
“There will be a single sign-on system to greatly improve access to information for clinicians, while a single email system for all staff will make for seamless cross-city collaboration between the new hospital and CHI Urgent Care sites at Connolly and Tallaght.
“The security solutions provided by Telefónica Tech will enable Children’s Health Ireland to strengthen its cyber security posture against potential cyber. Most importantly, all of this will bring about a safer and better experience for the children, young people and families who use our services.”