The recently announced creation of the ECHAlliance received a significant boost last week when the Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) made an application to join ECHAlliance as a Foundation Partner.

ECHAlliance represents an excellent opportunity for the DHSS to understand what is happening internationally and in particular to engage actively in the Permanent MHealth Ecosystems, operated under the EuMHA brand within the ECHAlliance.

The DHSS has a UK£4.4 billion annual budget and employs over 70,000 people delivering services through five healthcare trusts.

Brian O'Connor, ECHAlliance "We are delighted to welcome the DHSS team and in particular their determination to play an active role in growing the ECHAlliance.  Having the DHSS on board adds a new dimension for our other members, DHSS are a provider of services to over 1.7m citizens and they are recognized as welcoming innovation to help them deliver better patient care."