Global telecommunications services company BT will install and manage an Australian hospital’s communications infrastructure as part of a new contract.
International service company Serco selected BT to be its IT partner on the new Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, Western Australia.
Under the networked IT contract, BT will also run IT services aimed at helping the hospital become one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly hospitals in Australia.
This includes deploying a secure local area network and providing systems integration services, unified communications, mobility and conferencing technologies. By using the latest communication technology, the hospital expects to increase efficiency and productivity, while enabling health professionals to spend more time with their patients.
In addition, the hospital intends to introduce a radio frequency identification technology service to track equipment, such as scanners, defibrillators and ultrasound equipment. This will ensure asset levels are appropriate for the hospital, and that critical equipment is available at the right time at the right location.
Using these technologies for the more efficient management of its resources will also help Fiona Stanley keep its carbon footprint to a minimum.
BT and the healthcare sector
“BT has a long and successful history as a leading supplier of communications and IT services to the healthcare sector,” said Jeff Kelly, chief executive of BT Global Services.
“While our primary focus has been in the UK with our work with the National Health Service, we are now looking to apply this unique knowledge and expertise globally, especially in the Asia Pac region. We are delighted to be teaming-up with Serco. I am very proud that we have been chosen to provide The Fiona Stanley Hospital with a complete suite of IT services and helping create one of the most technologically advanced medical facilities in the world.”
As the lead service integrator, Serco will work with the Western Australian government on the provision of non-clinical services and BT will act as its key IT partner.
“BT’s proven track record in the health market complements our own experience in this field,” said Serco Australia chief executive David Campbell.
“It is an excellent company to be a partner with on this ground-breaking project; not only because of its expertise and long history in providing services to the health sector, but also its unique experience in delivering very large-scale programmes in the UK and around the world.”
Now under construction in Perth, the 783-bed hospital is due for completion by 2014. As part of this project, BT will create more than 70 jobs in Western Australia.
BT Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Graham Sutherland will be a panelist at the upcoming Digital Ireland Forum in Dublin on 30 September 2011. For further information on speakers and panelists go to the website.
