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NHS Trust in radical modernisation deal with global IT firm

NHS Trust in radical modernisation deal with global IT firm

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 12 May 2011

Issued by the News Distribution Service on behalf of the Barnet, Enfield and Haringay Mental Health NHS Trust

Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust (BEH-MHT), one of the largest mental health trusts in the country, is making a radical change in the way its computer and communications services are managed. BEH-MHT has become the first NHS Trust in the UK to outsource its entire IT and communications technology to HP - the world's largest IT company.

Under the agreement HP will modernise all the Trust's technology bringing together data and voice services thereby helping the Trust to deliver improved mental and physical healthcare services - as close as possible to the people who need them. Through these technology changes, and the efficiencies they will make possible the Trust believes it has the potential to effect considerable savings in its IT expenditure and use those savings for the benefit of the users of its services. The decision follows an intensive research and analysis exercise and a competitive tendering process carried out by BEH-MHT with the help throughout of specialist UK healthcare IT advisers - Channel 3 Consulting.

According to Dr Pete Sudbury, Medical Director of the Trust, the decision was based on improving services for the community which the Trust serves, as well as keeping control of costs. "I am passionate about looking at smarter ways of bringing our services to the community. We deliver excellent services because of the skill and experience of our professional teams. But we also need first rate IT and communications support. My aim as a clinical leader was to secure a deal which ensured that the technology supports our caring work".

The contract with HP will deliver clear measurable service improvements. HP will facilitate secure access to the Trust's application systems from PCs, laptops, PDAs and mobile phones. Professionals will use the same telephone and number whether they are at their desk or working in the community.

Louise Felstead, who is spearheading the change, joined the Trust as Head of Information Management and Technology (IM&T) in 2009 bringing with her considerable experience of managing major IT departments for private sector companies. "If people working for a utility service or a Bank have access to better technology and information, than the people I support - healthcare professionals - there is something wrong. That is why we are doing something about it; not by increasing what we spend but by spending it in a smarter way and working with real experts in their field. Our Chief Executive, Maria Kane is passionate about ensuring our services are the best they can be - and her leadership has made this radical change possible. Personally I joined the NHS to make a difference and I feel this programme does just that - it will make measurable improvements for the Trust itself, the people in our community and those who care for them".

Transfer of responsibility to HP takes place on 6 June 2011 and the contract will run for five years.

Ends

Release No: 09a/11


Note to editors
* Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust provides specialist mental health care to the people of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, specialised forensic and eating disorders services to north London as well as community health services in Enfield. The Trust has an annual budget of £200 million and 3,000 staff operating from almost 40 locations. For more information about the Trust please go to www.beh-mht.nhs.uk.

* Channel 3 Consulting is a market leading healthcare consultancy, focussed on offering a fresh approach to positive change throughout the NHS. www.channel3group.co.uk.

* HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context-aware experiences for a connected world. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.


Media contact: 'Jide Odusina 020 8442 442 6891
email: Jide.odusina@beh-mht.nhs.uk

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