ComMedica and Capula announce PACS alliance

An announcement on the future shape of PACS procurements in England is expected later this month.  Each of the five local service providers around the country has been asked to submit their proposals for PACS and IT director-general, Richard Granger, has put out warning signals that he expects to see prices tumble.

While big names have dominated national contract awards so far, the ComMedica and Capula alliance is being seen as an interesting offering demonstrating how small and medium enterprises can scale their businesses to compete in the new NHS IT market.

ComMedica brings its expertise in web-based medical imaging and information solutions to the alliance while Capula contributes its experience as a provider of IT services and solutions to the NHS and private healthcare markets, including the provision and integration of electronic patient record solutions.

A joint announcement says that the two companies will be equal partners in the alliance. Explaining the division of responsibilities, the companies say: “Capula will be responsible for the integration, including HL7 integration, deployment and ongoing support of ComMedica’s community-wide PACS software solution. ComMedica will be responsible for providing the PACS software solution, PACS subject matter expertise and DICOM 3.0 services.

Mark Simon, chief executive of ComMedica, said: "This partnership between Capula and ComMedica is a very important component of both companies’ long-term strategic plans for healthcare markets in the UK. It allows us to demonstrate clearly our commitment to the modernisation of IT in the NHS."

Tony Pegg, managing director of Capula’s Healthcare business, said: "The alliance with ComMedica is a significant development for both companies and demonstrates through our community wide approach to the PACS solution that ultimately we are both committed to improving patient care in the NHS."