To support Microsoft in launching HealthVault, a personal health application platform, in the UK.

Attenda Limited, a managed services company, today announced that it had reached an agreement with Microsoft, a software provider, for support in the UK of Microsoft HealthVault, a privacy and security-enhanced, cloud-based platform that enables individuals to store, share and interact with their personal health.

The company articulates that already fully operational in the US and Canada, Microsoft has brought HealthVault to the UK to help bridge the gap between personal health data and the professional medical and healthcare organizations. The National Health Service is brilliant at helping deal with illness. However, research shows that there are 6 million people in the UK who are actively involved in keeping themselves well. It adds that helping put UK citizens in charge of their health, HealthVault provides a central repository for people to record data on their 'wellness', ranging from exercise regularity, looking after their diet, weight monitoring to temperature and blood pressure monitoring.

The company explains that at launch, Microsoft is partnering with MSN and Nuffield Health to provide applications that enable wellness management. The MSN My Health Info application is the first in what is expected to be a long line of applications developed for the HealthVault platform. Data can be entered manually by an individual or automatically from a range of compatible devices, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors and pedometers.

Commenting on the contract with Microsoft, Simon Hansford, VP, Service Strategy & Marketing, Attenda says, "We are delighted to have been selected to work with Microsoft as its strategic hosting partner for HealthVault. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we have extensive experience in delivering critical applications and infrastructure managed services using Microsoft technologies. This is combined with a long term relationship hosting nhs.uk and multiple NHS Trusts and PCTs."

John Coulthard, Senior Director Healthcare and Life Sciences, Microsoft UK, concludes, "Attenda has long term experience managing data sensitive and health based websites, including Child Exploitation Data, NHS Choices and NHS HealthSpace, so proved an obvious choice for us to partner with in helping boost the opportunities HealthVault presents for organizations in the healthcare ecosystem."