Emis given go-ahead for roll-out of IT system for doctors

The Leeds-based company, which floated on AIM earlier this year, yesterday began the roll-out of its Emis Web system after winning approval from NHS Connecting for Health, the programme which controls NHS investment in IT.

Emis Web electronically connects GPs with professionals ranging from neurosurgeons to physiotherapists, giving them secure, centrally-hosted access to patients' health records.

Emis claims the "transformational" service saves time and money by eliminating paperwork, significantly reduces patients' waiting times and reduces the risk of prescription and treatment mistakes.

"Emis Web represents the next generation of clinical software systems so we are delighted to have received full roll-out approval which enables us to begin a controlled roll-out of the product in this initial phase," said chief executive Sean Riddell.

"As we stated at the time of our IPO earlier this year, securing full roll-out approval is a key milestone for the group."

The service has already been deployed at seven GP sites in England and 141 orders have already been received from practices.

Emis hopes to have the system in place in 50 surgeries by the end of the year, said a spokeswoman.

Another 980 practices have requested a familiarisation service, which allows them to trial Emis Web alongside their current system.

Roger Philips, analyst at Evolution Securities, said: "The original target was for EMIS Web to be fully accredited by October so this is ahead of schedule.

"In an environment of general fear over public sector spending cuts, the fact that Connecting for Health is now paying for EMIS Web through the familiarisation service should reassure the market."