It was at the beginning of 2011 that we spoke to EMIS about the foundations it was putting in place to serve the needs of a joined up healthcare sector (see EMIS laying foundations in cross organizational healthcare). At the time EMIS’ growth was pedestrian. But, today’s trading update highlights that the work EMIS has undertaken is paying dividends. It appears that H213 continued as positively as H1 (see EMIS in line at the half way mark) – EMIS highlights performance in line with expectations with continued organic growth in revenues and profits, and positive contributions from both acquisitions completed in H2 (Ascribe and Digital).
The trading update is scattered with references to progress made in ‘joining up’ various organisations within the healthcare sector: the ability to offer clinicians a truly joined up approach strengthened by the H2 acquisitions; preparations made for the launch of new functionality in its Community Pharmacy business, which will allow pharmacies and GPs to be linked; and the expansion into secondary care has made EMIS well-placed to help clinicians and patients work together. The partnership between BT and Healthcare Gateway (the EMIS and InPS JV) in November (see BT teams up to join up health and care), which will mean that data from the vast majority of GPs in the UK can be securely shared in real time, is also in line with EMIS’ connected health agenda.
In addition, EMIS seems to be making good progress with the ongoing rollout of EMIS web to GPs – 74% of EMIS total GP estate now completed with the rest lined up. And in community, child and mental health, EMIS talks of increased bid activity and new contracts secured. The one uncertainty appears to be around renewal of the English GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) framework, which is due to be concluded by 31st March 2014.