EHTEL is pleased to count the TIC Salut Social Foundation as one of its members. For 15 years, innovation in digital health has been the foundation’s motto. Most recently, it has shown people what can be the benefits of AI in the European Health Data Space. Through its work for EHTEL’s DICT, TIC Salut Social introduced many EHTEL members to ways in which to integrate health, care, and social welfare. Barcelona too has always also been a great location for EHTEL-held events and activities, like its 2019 Symposium.
Background
The TIC Salut Social Foundation is part of the Catalan Government and its Ministry of Health. The foundation’s focus is on the entire Catalan health system, where it works to promote the development and use of ICT, health tech, and networking. Its aim is to focus on improving the quality and efficiency of health and social care services. It works in two main ways: as an observatory of new trends, innovation and emerging technologies, and a means of offering accreditation and product approval services for medical devices.
The foundation has been in existence for some 15 years now. Its members include a variety of public administrations in health, social welfare, and ICT as well as groups of hospitals and health centres. It has a board of 12 trustees.
What TIC Salut Social is doing
The TIC Salut Social Foundation focuses in-depth on the needs of the Catalan healthcare system. The foundation is deeply committed to Catalan’s current healthcare plan, which will influence all the related activities up until 2025. With its focus on telepresence and AI, as the foundation’s director has said, TIC Salut Social is “directly involved in many issues relating to the use of ICTs in the healthcare environment…”
Its staff members cover many technical and organisational skills and fields of experience. The foundation structures its activities though five technical areas of expertise: Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), mHealth IT systems’ interoperability, data protection – including impact assessment, and the digital patient journey supported by technology. As a hub with a focus on innovation, its main stakeholder activities are centred around citizens, systems, information, and ICT.
Last but not least, TIC Salut Social benefits from the many conferences and public events held in Barcelona, e.g., on med tech and cardiology. Annually, it attends the Mobile World Congress.
To learn more about Tic Salut Social, visit its website.