The collaboration between Telefónica Tech and Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI) National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory (NNBSL) marks a significant step in modernising Ireland’s newborn screening infrastructure. By combining Telefónica Tech’s expertise in secure, scalable IT solutions, the project aims to deliver a robust digital environment. This environment supports early detection of rare conditions in newborns, facilitates operational excellence, and ensures compliance with national healthcare and data protection standards.
The National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP), commonly called the heel-prick screening, is a national public health screening programme operated and governed by the HSE as part of the National Healthy Childhood Programme.
The HSE’s Programme offers every newborn in Ireland the opportunity to be screened for certain rare but serious conditions. This is achieved via the ‘heel prick’ where a sample of blood is collected on a special newborn bloodspot screening card. The ‘heel prick’ is carried out by either a midwife in the maternity unit/hospital or by a public health nurse after the baby has been discharged home.
The National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street provides the laboratory service for this national screening programme, providing analysis, reporting and onward referral as required. This is a vital part of public health services in Ireland. Early detection enables timely intervention, improving long-term health outcomes and reducing the risk of severe illness.
The NNBSP is motivated by the need to provide equitable, nationwide access to life-saving diagnostics and care. This new ICT infrastructure aligns with CHI’s digital hospital strategy, which leverages technology to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with healthcare and data protection standards. Recent upgrade efforts provide stronger protection for sensitive data, preparing CHI for the upcoming move into the National Children’s Hospital Ireland and improving cyber security.
Telefónica Tech were engaged to design and implement a modern, secure, and scalable IT environment within a new data centre for NNBSL. The collaboration has delivered robust infrastructure and a platform to deliver expected future growth. The project included close coordination with Revvity who provide the laboratory hardware and software, laboratory teams, Children’s Health Ireland, and the HSE to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing operational excellence.
Adrian Rath, Chief Technology Officer with Children’s Health Ireland, said: “This project is more than a technical upgrade – it’s a leap forward in how we protect, connect, and care for Ireland’s youngest children. By bringing our screening systems under CHI’s direct management and leveraging our partnerships, we’re building a foundation for innovation and resilience that will serve children and families for years to come. Key to our ability to deliver effectively has been our strategic relationship with Telefonica Tech.”
David Wilkinson, Chief Architect at Telefónica Tech UK&I, said: “As a key partner with Children’s Health Ireland, we have been delighted to be involved in the infrastructure modernisation of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory. The move to its new home at the National Children’s Hospital Ireland lays the foundation for lab movement into the new building and future improvements will be transformational. The commitment of CHI teams, Revvity and HSE colleagues ensured a successful implementation.”
Children’s Health Ireland and Telefónica Tech continue to work in partnership, with ongoing projects to improve operational outcomes and efficiency, alongside enhanced security capabilities as CHI prepares to move into the National Children’s Hospital Ireland.