Sheba and GE Healthcare partner to advance precision medicine

Israel’s Sheba Medical Center and GE Healthcare have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on innovation in data driven cardiology, remote pregnancy monitoring, and molecular imaging. The partnership will leverage their combined strengths in research, development and clinical proficiencies.

Clinicians at Sheba’s Accelerate Redesign Collaborate (ARC) Innovation Center will receive access to tools and support to improve patient-centred care and advance the practice of precision medicine.

Prof Eyal Zimlichman, chief innovation officer (CIO), Sheba Medical Center and CEO, ARC, said: “This collaboration is based on our shared commitment to four guiding principles: digital health, open innovation, the international global healthcare ecosystem; and building innovation infrastructure.”

Better wins Hereford and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust EPMA contract

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (HWHCT) has contracted Better to deliver its electronic prescribing and medicines administration (EPMA) solution across the trust’s mental health recovery units and community hospitals.

The procurement will fulfil the last of the trust's obligations as a global digital exemplar and marks a significant step forward in its digital transformation.

Adrian Aggett, client director, Better UK and Ireland, said: “We are looking forward to working with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust to help improve the safety and efficiency of the care they provide through the benefits of using Better Meds.”

Healthware Group acquires Argon Global Healthcare Network

Healthcare consultancy Healthware Group has announced the acquisition of healthcare agencies network, Argon Global Healthcare.

The organisation, now rebranded as Healthware Global Network, said the purchase will strengthen its ability to service global life science clients, especially within its advisory and go-to-market agency services division, with expanded reach in 25 countries.

Massimo Vergnano, CEO and partner, Argon Global Healthcare, said: “Digital transformation is universally recognised as a factor that will revolutionise the healthcare industry. Our network of independent agencies will act as a powerful springboard for disseminating Healthware transformational advisory and technology assets worldwide, delivering a superior level of service to clients.”

Technology and digital tools to support faster rare disease diagnosis in UK

A rare diseases action plan has been launched to support faster diagnosis of conditions such as muscular dystrophies and Huntington’s disease in the UK.

The plan includes improvements to newborn screening, a ‘GeNotes’ digital tool allowing healthcare professionals to access rare disease information, and a toolkit to improve virtual consultations.

Also, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) BioResource will receive £40 million to further their work on rare diseases.

Health secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “This action plan will speed up diagnoses and care and allow our fantastic workforce to better support patients, by drawing upon the UK’s world-leading science and technology.”

Dedalus to transition customers to next generation of ORBIS EPR

International healthcare software solutions provider Dedalus Group has announced ORBIS_u as its new strategic electronic patient record (EPR) clinicals solution for the UK and Ireland market.

Existing Lorenzo clinicals customers will be upgraded to the ORBIS_u platform, with the programme of work led by former CIO for health and care in England, Will Smart.

Smart said: “It is clear to me, that the digitisation challenge set out in the NHS Long Term plan, and Sajid Javid’s ambition to get 90% of secondary care organisations to a baseline level of digital maturity, will require significant effort from all vendors in the marketplace.”