The TIC Salut i Social Foundation and ORCHA sign a strategic agreement to promote cross-border digital health assessment

The TIC Salut i Social Foundation, on behalf of the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia, has signed a collaboration agreement with ORCHA Health, a global digital health assessment and distribution platform headquartered in London, to move towards a shared vision between Catalonia and the United Kingdom: a safer, more connected and more efficient European digital health ecosystem.

Catalonia has been recognised for years as a pioneer in digital transformation and, with this agreement, is taking a decisive step towards achieving truly reliable, secure and cross-border technological certification for digital health assets.

For years, providers of digital health solutions have faced fragmented technological requirements depending on each territory. This has led to duplicated assessments, inconsistent standards and unnecessary barriers to innovation. Through this collaboration, Catalonia aims not only to streamline its own processes, but also to demonstrate that cross-border validation is possible, practical and capable of delivering a positive and profound impact on health systems, providers and citizens.

A European model led by Catalonia

The TIC Salut i Social Foundation has developed one of the most comprehensive evaluation frameworks in Europe for digital health applications and assets, covering both the healthcare and social care sectors. Through its alliance with ORCHA, Catalonia will establish a collaborative model that can be replicated across the continent.

Both parties will analyse how shared evaluation pathways can reduce duplication, accelerate safe adoption and deliver greater value to public health systems.

This work is designed to improve local processes and to generate the scientific evidence needed to move towards broader European harmonisation.

According to Joan Guanyabens, Director of the TIC Salut i Social Foundation, “Catalonia is one of Europe’s leading territories in digital health innovation, and with this collaboration we are taking the next major step. Our goal is to demonstrate that cross-border recognition is not only desirable, but also achievable. By adopting common approaches with partners such as ORCHA, we can accelerate innovation, reduce unnecessary burdens on providers and ensure that citizens have access to the safest and most effective digital health tools.”

Impact for citizens, providers and health systems

Driving Impact for Citizens, Suppliers, and Health Systems 

The partnership reflects the Catalan Government’s commitment to ensuring that digital health solutions meet the highest standards of safety, privacy, and quality. By aligning local and international assurance approaches, the region aims to: 

– Accelerate access to trusted digital health solutions, giving citizens and professionals confidence in the technologies they use. 

– Reduce duplication of assessments, enabling public resources to be used more efficiently and shortening the time it takes for validated tools to enter the system. 

– Support Catalan and Spanish suppliers seeking international growth, providing them with an evaluation route recognised beyond their borders. 

– Increase transparency and consistency, strengthening trust across the digital health ecosystem. 

This collaboration will also generate academic and practical evidence—through papers, reports, and shared materials—designed to benefit other regions looking to modernise and harmonise their digital health assurance practices. 

“We are honoured to collaborate with the Government of Catalonia, a true European leader in digital transformation,” said Liz Ashall-Payne, Founder and Director of ORCHA Health. “Together, we are building the foundations for a more connected ecosystem where safe, high-quality digital health tools can move seamlessly across borders.” 

Looking Ahead 

Over the next 12 months, both parties will work closely to strengthen their understanding of each other’s assurance processes, align methodologies where appropriate, and test shared workflows with digital health suppliers and it represents a strong, strategic commitment to shaping the future of digital health assurance in Europe. 

Catalonia’s ambition is clear: to continue leading the digital transformation of health and social care, while helping to create a more coherent and trusted digital health landscape across nations.