A healthy alliance: Vodafone and Deloitte launch virtual healthcare hub

The Vodafone Centre for Health will use connectivity to enable more people across Europe to access healthcare when and where they need it.

In the UK, research conducted during the second lockdown in 2020 highlighted a clear demand for the NHS to adopt new technologies to improve the patience experience.

The report, ‘ Better Health, connected health ’ revealed that more than half of those polled (57%) would be comfortable having medical appointments via video, even after the pandemic was over.

The two brands claim that this new alliance will help providers to meet these demands, with cost benefits to boot.

Across the world, Vodafone already connects more than 20 million healthcare devices, from dialysis machines to 5G remote-assisted surgeries .

Deloitte has an army of 24,000 skilled professionals in its global Life Sciences and Healthcare team, with a track-record in helping healthcare organisations to adopt and benefit from digital technologies.

The two companies most recently combined forces to help drone specialists Skyports, delivering vital medical supplies to rural hospitals in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland .

Professor Shafi Ahmed , Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust and former Vodafone ambassador said: “Covid has demonstrated the incredible value of collaboration between healthcare providers and industry partners to help redesign and reimagine the patient experience and improve outcomes.

“Connected health is vital in delivering more accessible, smart, remote and data driven personalised care.”

Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read said: “This strategic alliance will act as an accelerator of digital solutions to support the transformation of healthcare services and to help the societies we serve.

“As a digital enabler, we want to bring Vodafone’s technology and platforms, coupled with Deloitte’s depth of sector experience, to support the digitalisation of hospitals, telemedicine, virtual medical consultations, and remote solutions.

“As governments build back stronger, Vodafone will be there to enable their ambition.”

Read the full press release here.