Emis in best of health as software roll-out goes on

Leeds-based Emis is a leading supplier of clinical software to GP practices and other healthcare practitioners.

Last year, the group continued to roll out its Emis Web software, which links healthcare professionals, from GPs to neurosurgeons, by allowing them to share patients’ cradle-to-grave medical records

During 2013, Emis saw its total revenue rise by 22 per cent to £105.5m. Operating profit was £24.9m, compared with £24.1m the year before.

Last year, the number of GP practices using its EMIS Web product rose to 3,327 from 1,635 the year before.

The company, which has a 53 per cent share of the UK primary software market, is now focusing on the delivery of software products aimed at improving care for children and people who suffer from mental health problems.

Last year, Emis bought healthcare software company Ascribe for up to £60m in a deal that it described as a significant milestone for the group. Ascribe is focused on hospital pharmacy, accident and emergency, mental health and electronic patient records for the NHS and overseas.

In 2013, Emis also bought eyesight screening company Digital Healthcare for £3.1m. Chris Spencer, the chief executive of EMIS Group, said: “EMIS Group has had an exceptionally productive year with the accelerated roll-out of EMIS Web for GPs, the acquisitions and integration of Digital Healthcare and Ascribe completing our strategic platform for integrated care, strong organic revenue growth and a high level of profitability maintained.

“As financial and demographic factors continue to impact the NHS, EMIS Group confidently expects to remain at the heart of healthcare IT with our strategic mission of integrating healthcare systems spanning primary, CCMH (Community Child and Mental Health), community pharmacy, secondary and specialist care.”

Altogether, 4,781 community pharmacies had signed up for the group’s products by the end of last year, which is 35.3 per cent of the UK market.

EMIS Group products, including the EMIS Web, hold more than 40m patient records and are used by nearly 6,000 healthcare organisations, including community-based teams.

Mr Spencer added yesterday: “Health Minister, Jeremy Hunt, speaking at Cambridge Health Network in February, described certain things as ‘absolute givens’: that the NHS will become totally dependent on personal and population level electronic health records, and that patients will take charge of their own ‘health destinies’.

“EMIS Group is closely aligned in facilitating those trends in healthcare.”

Last April, EMIS signed an agreement to supply clinical information systems to 30 community and mental health trusts in London and the South.

In Glasgow, EMIS implemented the first phase of a contract to share information on 240,000 children across a range of community services.

As the second half of the year progressed, bid activity increased, and the group secured new CCMH contracts for EMIS Web in Bromley and at the East London Urgent Care Centre, where it is helping to prevent unnecessary admissions to Newham Hospital accident and emergency department.

Emis said it was continuing to trade in line with management expectations, and with continuing strong revenue visibility.

Analysts from Panmure Gordon said in a note yesterday: “Full year results were much as we expected, with 12 per cent organic revenue growth driven primarily by the continuing rollout of EMIS Web.

“There was a solid performance from all three core markets, with both the acquisitions made in the year delivering a positive contribution.”