CHANNEL HEALTH WINS SKY DIGITAL £1.2M DEAL

DIGITAL television company Channel Health have won a £1.2 million contract to run a pilot interactive television service on pregnancy for the NHS.
The company, which floated on AIM last August, will produce seven half-hour programmes for broadcast on Sky Digital.
The series will not only provide entertainment and informative viewing, but will demonstrate in the most concrete terms how a range of services, including information phone lines, email user groups, digital TV and NHS Direct can be used to give the patient greater control over the provision of their healthcare services.
Joanne Sawicki, Chief Executive of Channel Health said: “The award of the NHS contract is a milestone few companies could expect to achieve at such an early stage of development.
“Moreover, it is proof positive of our conviction in the Channel Health model. This is a ground breaking project and we are proud to be involved in the NHS’ determination to lead the way in the development of digital TV in the health arena”.
Channel Health is the lead contractor to the NHS for this project. One of its key strategic partners in the contract is Bounty SCA. This alliance will enable Channel Health branded materials to reach 80 per cent of new mothers in the UK, via the Bounty sample packs distributed to new mothers in hospital delivery rooms throughout the UK.
Commenting on the NHS’s commitment to digital information revolution, Health Minister Gisela Stuart, said: “Digital TV promises faster, easier access to health information for all and is likely to allow us to take a further significant step towards the NHS becoming the authoritative provider of advice on health at home and a proactive partner in helping people to change to healthier lifestyles.” (AMcE)