OREANDA-NEWS.   BT announced today that it has won a deal with the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University to provide healthcare IT consultancy services, the first win of its type for BT in China.

 BT is helping design a centralized IT platform, bringing together the hospital group’s disparate systems. One of the leading healthcare groups in China, Ningxia Medical University runs 27 hospitals across Ningxia, Inner

 Mongolia and Shaanxi provinces, and is investing substantially in the development of a platform to help it become one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the country.

 The new platform will host the electronic medical record system used at Ningxia General Hospital as well as across its network of regional hospitals. It will also host the electronic health record database, decision support system and public health and chronic disease management platform, as well as other services.

 The deal is the first in China for BT’s recently established Asia Pacific Health Practice which was set up in 2012 to target the rapidly growing health IT market in the region. The Practice employs more than 130 experts in clinical design assurance, clinical safety management, technical architecture and major programme practice, providing a strong capability for local delivery.

 Mr. Yang Yinxue, chief executive officer of Ningxia General Hospital said: “A comprehensive, unified and advanced data system for patients and staff at our numerous hospitals is essential to our growth. The new IT platform is of critical importance to our ambitious expansion plans. BT was the ideal strategic partner for us with its unique capabilities, local team and global experience. We believe our long-term partnership will help build Ningxia General Hospital into a brand new and world-class digital hospital.”

 Eliza Kwok, managing director, BT China said: “The health IT market is undergoing a transformation everywhere in the world. In China, the issue of health provision is being addressed by the national Government and will be a priority over the coming five years. At BT, we are pleased to be able to play an active part in the development of new and innovative solutions that support the delivery of modern healthcare. This win offers us an opportunity to become the partner of choice for one of the leading hospital groups and brings to China our extensive experience in the health care market.”

 With BT’s networked communications heritage and strong health experience, the company’s vision is to deliver healthcare that connects, allowing healthcare organisations to save money, integrate information and improve the lives of patients and employees. It has already won a range of health IT business across Asia Pacific, including complex and large infrastructure contracts for new build hospitals, clinical safety management consultancy and electronic health records work.