Industry news in brief

This month’s industry news in brief roundup includes the announcement that appointment management provider Healthcare Communications is to be acquired by IMImobile and news that a personal support charity which provides in-patient drug and alcohol detoxification services has run a successful pilot with an intelligent fingerprint drug test. 

Healthcare Communications acquired by IMImobile

Healthcare Communications has been acquired by cloud communications specialist IMImobile.

The UK-based company provides appointment management and patient experience technology to 140 NHS organisations.

The acquisition will give the company access to the next generation of software platforms and a 250-strong team of developers.

Mike Cunningham, managing director at Healthcare Communications, said there will be “no change” to its services.

“It will significantly accelerate our ability to invest in our products and services to support NHS England with its digital transformation agenda,” Cunningham said.

Intelligent fingerprint drug test proves popular

A personal support charity which provides in-patient drug and alcohol detoxification services has run a successful pilot using the Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System.

CAIS, which helps those suffering from addictions including rehabilitation, said the portable drug test is quick and easy to use as well as being a less invasive and more dignified than other methods.

The system works by collecting and analysing fingerprint sweat to detect tiny traces of drugs or drug metabolites to determine whether or not a person has consumed drugs.

Nine out of ten CAIS detoxification clients who took part in the pilot survey said that they preferred the fingerprint system in comparison to traditional screening methods that require urine or saliva samples.

SmartSurvey wins three-year contract with the General Medical Council

SmartSurvey has announced it has won a three-year contract with the General Medical Council (GMC).

The UK-based provider of digital survey solutions will supply survey and consultation software.

The research collected, via online surveys, will help make sure that policies and decisions made by the GMC will be based on evidence.

Paul Buckley, director of strategy and communication at the GMC, said SmartSurvey’s easy to use digital platform will ‘transform’ the way the council engages with doctors and patients.

Microtest named ‘IT provider of the year’

IT supplier Microtest is celebrating another win.

The company which develops clinical software systems for GP surgeries, was named ‘IT Provider of the Year’ at the General Practice Awards 2017.

Microtest has already won three awards this year including ‘Family Business of the Year’ at the Western Morning News Business Awards.

Pharmacy group introduces new dispensary management system to help save time

Dean and Smedley has rolled out a new dispensary management system to help save time.

The ProScript Connect from EMIS Health, is now live at the pharmacy group’s 10 branches in the East Midlands.

The upgraded version of ProScript Connect features a Prescription Tracker Service (PTS).

Dean and Smedley has said that as a result of the new system, it has reported time savings of up to 45 minutes per pharmacy staff member a day.

Doctolib announces 35 million Euros of funding

In international news, a leading platform for booking online medical appointments in Europe has announced it has received 35 million Euros of funding.

Doctolib, which is based in France, allows patients to book doctor and dentist appointments online.

In total, the company has also received 61 million Euros since the start of 2017.

The latest round of funding, which includes investment from the French public investment bank (Bpifrance), will allow Doctolib to increase its international expansion.