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Deloitte launches virtual healthtech technology cluster

The Virtual Technology Cluster Group has revealed a new partnership with professional services firm Deloitte aimed at bringing digitally disruptive technologies into healthcare providers.

The Deloitte Healthcare Virtual Technology Cluster will officially launch in the first quarter of 2017 and is inviting applications from firms and teams including University projects, startups, SMEs and public companies.

Operating as a virtual community, the London-based group will provide a platform for businesses and individuals to forge links with the healthcare industry opening up commercial and investment opportunities for participating firms.

Julian Hunt, Partner, Deloitte LLP said that the new initiative was part of the global firm’s efforts to help ‘accelerate the pace’ of digitisation in the healthcare sector.

In the UK in particular, digital and tech innovations have been identified as key ways to combat inefficiencies and budgetary pressures on the NHS, with a string of apps and platforms coming to market in the last couple of years claiming to revolutionise all aspects of healthcare.

Hunt added: “The Virtual Technology Cluster model stood out for us as it focused on enabling the acceleration of digital capability, innovative capacity and investment opportunities in the healthcare sector and wider economy.

“We were impressed by the success of the Lockheed Martin UK Virtual Technology Cluster being a practical example of the connectivity delivering accelerating competitive advantage.”

The initiative marks the first time the Virtual Technology Cluster concept has been utilised with healthcare in mind, and follows the organisation’s first cyber security VTC with Lockheed Martin.

Commenting on the latest programme, Auriol Stevens, CEO of The VTC Group, said: “We are delighted to partner with Deloitte on the creation of our second VTC, which will help advance the digitisation of healthcare for the NHS and further afield.

“We are keen to replicate the success of our first cluster, the Lockheed Martin (now Leidos) Virtual Technology Cluster, which is focussed on cybersecurity.

“In Deloitte we have a multi-national organisation, passionate about enhancing the quality of healthcare through technology, with whom we can work to create an ecosystem that will lead to revenue and investment opportunities for all the constituents.”

Those interested in becoming members or sponsors can apply now.