iSoft sells off Swiss operations

Health IT software firm iSoft has sold its operations in Switzerland to Nexus, a local provider of healthcare IT solutions, for £2.25m Swiss Francs (£1m).

The Manchester-based company says the move will enable it to "focus on other priorities in the short term". The most pressing of these priorities is delivering its late-running next generation Lorenzo solution to fulfill contracts signed with the prime contractors to the English NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT).

Under the agreement Nexus will exclusively market specific iSoft products in Switzerland. iSoft will continue to provide maintenance support for those customers in Switzerland using iSoft products.

iSoft acquired its Swiss operation in 2003 when it purchased Torex’s health business. The Swiss business sells its own range of administrative and financial applications known as HOSPIS together with iSoft’s radiology and laboratory solutions. These are said to be complementary to the clinical products offered by Nexus.

Following the deal iSoft and Nexus will collaborate in providing healthcare solutions to the Swiss market. iSoft says it remains committed to offering its next generation product Lorenzo into the Swiss market through Nexus.

In addition iSoft says it will continue to support the Swiss customers that are in an early adoption phase with Lorenzo through a sub-contract agreement with Nexus.

iSoft chief executive, Tim Whiston said: “The on-going relationship with Nexus will broaden the service available to our existing customers in Switzerland. It will allow iSoft to focus on other priorities in the short-term, while leaving open the opportunity to market Lorenzo in Switzerland in the future.”

An iSoft spokesperson told EHI that the company had no imemdiate plans for any additional sales.  "We have no plans at this stage to sell any other of international healthcare businesses."