Continuous product development key to delivery of more joined up healthcare system – Howard Beggs

Dublin, February 2009, leading Irish healthcare software provider Helix Health announced today that it is to merge with Health Ireland Partners, forming Ireland’s largest and most experienced healthcare software group. The move will see almost 2,000 of the 2,500 GPs registered in Ireland using one of the Helix Health suite of software applications. The decision to merge was finalised at a Health Ireland User Group (HIUG) EGM on February 14th. The merger was voted in favour of by the Health Ireland User Group - a cooperative of 730 GPs. 

The merger provides absolute product security for Health Ireland Partners and its customers, and will provide broader access to research and development expertise. Commenting on the partnership, Howard Beggs, CEO Helix Health Group said, “The merger of Helix Health and Health Ireland Partners will guarantee Irish GPs a choice of high-end software products. These products will be further developed through the valuable feedback of the vibrant and doctor driven user group”. 

“The Helix Health Group’s presence in the retail and hospital pharmacy sectors and our extensive installations with Private Medical Consultants, Specialist Clinics and Chemotherapy centres is central to our aim of fostering the development of a more joined up healthcare system and this merger with Health Ireland Partners will further support this” added Mr. Beggs.

The Helix Health Group has been a client of Enterprise Ireland for a number of years and due to their scale and potential for international growth is part of Enterprise Irelands “Scaling Division”. Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland commented, "Over the past decade, Irish medical professionals have seen small companies close or cease to trade when market conditions became difficult. This consolidation positions Helix not only as the largest and most successful Irish Healthcare IT company, but one of the country's largest indigenous software companies. The company has significant export revenues and promising potential to further expand on an international scale.

"The newly enlarged Helix Health Group will offer customers a greater choice of products accredited to Irish and European Healthcare standards. Health One, the leading Health Ireland Partners product will retain its name under the Helix Health Group. 

ENDS 

For more information contact: 

Rachel Morrogh Insight Consultants01 293 9424 / 086 853 0005 

Miriam Ryan Insight Consultants01 293 9977 / 086 353 1679 

Note to Editors 

About Helix Health 

Helix Health is a leading provider of world-class healthcare software and IT solutions. The company was formed in 2007 as a result of a merger between Systems Solutions (leading provider of pharmacy management software) and Medicom (market leader in general practice systems), creating the largest indigenous healthcare IT provider in Ireland. With a combined customer base of over 10,000 users of its healthcare software offerings, the company provides innovative technology solutions to Primary Care, Pharmacy, Specialist Health Care and Private Consultants, Health Assessment and Government. Helix has annual revenues of over €10m and employs almost 100 staff in Ireland. Helix Health has built a strong reputation for delivering quality software, which combines flexibility and user-friendliness. Helix Health is future-focused, quality-focused and customer-focused enabling healthcare professionals to deliver superior health services to their patients.  

About Enterprise Ireland 

Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector. It seeks to accelerate the development of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in global markets resulting in increased national and regional prosperity. Enterprise Ireland operates through an extensive network of Irish and international offices aiding Irish companies looking to who wish to achieve export sales, invest in research and innovation, compete through productivity, start/scale up and drive regional enterprise. The agency also assists international companies looking for world-class Irish suppliers.