Firstly our population – 1.7m people means it is small enough to get things done quickly, but big enough to provide an effective evidence base for new approaches. We are able to apply policy proposals on the ground quickly. We have a single payer system – government – which removes one of the most significant barriers to progress elsewhere. And we have 100% coverage of broad band.
Most importantly we have a track record now of major change. We have already demonstrated our ability to implement new approaches in extremely short timescales. Our record in reducing waiting times for surgery, outpatients and in A&E, and the steps we are now taking to reduce delayed discharges bear testimony to that. Our workforce is talented and absolutely committed to improving the patient experience.
There are also strong economic arguments for pursuing this goal and I am very pleased that the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment is sharing this platform with me today. The European Union regards electronic-health as offering very significant economic opportunities associated with the development of connected health approaches to care.
What do we mean by connected health? It is about putting the patient at the centre of everything we do and finding new ways and using new technologies to improve their outcome. By developing new approaches to how we treat people, we will also be improving the quality and productivity of our services.
Across government we want to ensure the benefits of those opportunities are harnessed for Northern Ireland. But if we are to succeed we need a co-ordinated strategic approach. We need to overcome the barriers to the effective introduction of these new technologies. To make this happen I am pleased therefore to be able to announce today my intention to establish “The European Centre for Connected Health” here in Northern Ireland. A key aim of the Centre will be the development of Northern Ireland as a connected health economy. The Centre will take forward the strategic design of new ways of working, the application of new technologies and will work closely with the Health and social care system to deliver this.
It will be a catalyst for change in Northern Ireland. But it will also have an external focus, developing relationships and working with similarly minded organisations to promote e-health solutions and best practice on a European and global stage. I would expect it to seek membership of the Continua Alliance and work with the European Commission to accelerate the uptake of EU wide e-health solutions.
In this endeavour we are not starting from scratch. There are many developments already in place. These include
- schemes involving assistive technology and telemonitoring of chronic disease, offering a better quality of life and helping people live independently;
- a fully operational secure data communications network connecting every GP practice with the internet and Health Trusts’ intranet.
