SickKids & Microsoft Canada expand Azure partnership

SickKids and Microsoft Canada have entered a five-year strategic partnership focused on expanding SickKids' use of Microsoft Azure as its primary cloud platform.

According to a release made available Tuesday, the arrangement is intended to strengthen the digital systems underpinning SickKids' Precision Child Health program, which aims to deliver more individualised care through data-driven clinical and research work.

Under the agreement, SickKids will extend its use of Azure across key clinical systems and data environments, creating a more connected environment for clinical systems and information, including work linked to the electronic health record.

The organisations will also examine how cloud, data, analytics and artificial intelligence tools can support diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The work is expected to cover secure access to data across care, research and operations, as well as advanced analytics to generate earlier insights and support prediction.

Over the next five years, the planned work will include improving the cloud foundation for clinical systems, widening connected access to information for clinicians, advancing the responsible use of AI and analytics, and building a digital environment that can evolve with patient and family needs.

SickKids was founded as Canada's first children's hospital and has become one of the country's most research-intensive health institutions. Its recent work has focused on the responsible use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in both clinical care and research.

Microsoft Canada is also committing Azure credits, technology partner support, and investment in skills programs for hospital staff. The programs are intended to help SickKids teams build expertise in AI and digital tools.

The partnership builds on the hospital's previous investment in cloud infrastructure. Microsoft's security tools will be used to strengthen the protection and resilience of critical systems and data, while giving the organisation flexibility to adapt its digital environment over time.

Toronto-based SickKids is one of Canada's best-known paediatric hospitals and is affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has positioned Precision Child Health as a central part of its strategy, combining clinical care, research and digital systems to tailor treatment more closely to individual patients.

"Our vision is to put the right data in the right hands at the right time so every child can benefit from individualized, data-driven care," said Ronald Cohn, President and CEO, SickKids. "Strengthening our digital foundation will help give clinicians, researchers and staff the tools and insights they need to continue delivering world-class outcomes for children and families."

Matt Milton, President of Microsoft Canada, framed the partnership around the hospital's clinical and research work.

"By combining SickKids' world-leading clinical and research expertise with the trusted capabilities of Microsoft cloud and AI, we can help create the foundation for care teams to turn data into earlier insights and more individualized treatment for every child," Milton said.