Software group provides healthier outlook for military

The Leeds-based group, founded by two North Yorkshire GPs in 1987, yesterday revealed it has been appointed by global technology giant CSC to supply a new electronic health information system for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Under a five-year contract, CSC Australia use EMIS’s clinical software to deliver a health records system covering all personnel in the ADF, called the Joint e-Health Data and Information (JeHDI) system.

The new system, which will be based on EMIS’s clinical software – will create a detailed electronic health record for each ADF serviceman and woman, featuring data from recruitment to discharge.

EMIS, originally called Egton Medical Information Systems, said JeDHI will support better and more efficient healthcare, and also allow the ADF to map health trends across its three armed forces.

EMIS chief executive Sean Riddell said: “As well as being the UK market leader in primary care systems, EMIS is also highly experienced at providing military healthcare solutions and our systems are already widely deployed across the world.

“This prestigious contract further extends EMIS’ international reach and reinforces our credentials as a world-class provider of e-health information systems.

“We are delighted to partner with CSC Australia on this project and look forward to working together to make a positive difference to the care of thousands of Australian servicemen and women around the globe.”

Gavin Larkings, president of CSC in Australia, said: “At CSC, we collaborate with top technology partners to provide the best solutions for our clients.

“CSC assessed the specific requirements of the JeHDI system and based on these unique needs, the EMIS solution was the right answer because EMIS operates in both health and defence.

“JeHDI is a significant project for defence and CSC Australia is delighted to be defence’s integration partner for its implementation.

“We foresee it as a showcase for Australia’s eHealth evolution.”

The JeHDI project will use the latest version of EMIS’ PCS Enterprise clinical software, which combines general healthcare and dentistry in a single patient record.

CSC Australia and EMIS will host a series of workshops between February and May to introduce the system to key parties including clinicians and service personnel, marking the first step in developing the software to meet specific needs.

EMIS was founded to computerise GPs’ patients’ records. No value was put on the JeDHI deal.