Capital Health and Philips sign landmark deal

Capital Health and Philips have reached
agreement on an innovative, landmark $70 million deal for diagnostic equipment
that will improve patient care, increase access to technology and establish a
strategic relationship for future partnerships between the two organizations.
"This innovative agreement is clearly a breakthrough in Canada on how the
health sector and private industry can work together strategically to improve
quality and access to health care," says Sheila Weatherill, president and
chief executive officer, Capital Health. "Not only will it provide us with
faster access to leading-edge medical equipment and technology but it will
also do so in a more cost-effective way. Patients will benefit as we are able
to introduce cutting-edge diagnostic and monitoring technology to front line
care in a more timely manner." Weatherill also acknowledges the support from
the Government of Alberta for innovative initiatives of this kind.
This new approach to equipment acquisition allows Capital Health to
purchase equipment in key areas for three years with two one-year extension
options. Faster access to equipment will support the region's implementation
of the Picture Archival Communication System (PACS), a system that stores
digital diagnostic images, such as MRIs or CTs, electronically. This system
will support the integration of digital diagnostic images into netCARE,
Canada's leading integrated electronic health records system. In the future
all digital images will be attached directly to individual patient records,
expanding the breadth of health information instantly available to health care
professionals through netCARE.
Capital Health will also have pricing predictability over the life of the
contract, as well as a streamlined purchasing process that will generate
savings on equipment purchases which can then be invested in other areas. The
multi-year agreement is the largest commodity and service contract for the
health region and is the largest of its kind in Canada for Philips.
"This agreement breaks new ground for Philips as well by securing a long-
term relationship with a world-class health region," says Iain Burns, CEO
Philips Electronics Ltd. (Philips Canada). "This strategic alliance provides
us the opportunity to investigate mutually beneficial opportunities in product
research and gives us access to leading-edge physicians and researchers which
can only advance our efforts in the development of new technology and product
development."
As part of the agreement, Philips will also contribute to Capital
Health's educational and research programs and will create jobs in the
Edmonton area to service the equipment purchased by Capital Health. In some
instances, Capital Health will also become a test site for key Philips
products and technology.
"One of the key advantages of this partnership is our ability to bring
together the best clinical and technical minds from both sides to discuss
technology enhancements, research opportunities, education, clinical trials
and testing," says Joanna Pawlyshyn, chief operating officer for Diagnostic
and Equipment Services, Capital Health.

About Capital Health

Capital Health in Edmonton is Canada's largest academic health region,
providing complete health services to one million residents in the cities of
Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove and St. Albert, and the
counties of Leduc, Parkland, Strathcona and Sturgeon (and communities within
their geographical areas), as well as the Town of Devon and communities in the
eastern part of Yellowhead County. Capital Health serves a total of 1.6
million people across central and northern Alberta, providing specialized
services such as trauma and burn treatment, organ transplants and high-risk
obstetrics. For more information visit www.capitalhealth.ca.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one
of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales
of $ 37.66 Billion (EUR 30.3 billion) in 2004. With activities in the three
interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,700
employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in
medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets,
electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is
located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

For further information: For media inquiries contact: Rob Stevenson,
Capital Health Public Affairs, Phone (780) 413-5176, Pager (780) 445-2337;
James Savage, Director - Corporate Communications, Philips Electronics Ltd.,
Phone: (905) 201-4509, Cell (416) 219-9564

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