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Unicare Agreement
Unicare choose Helix Health for extensive IT Investment
Unicare have signed an exclusive agreement with Helix Health to install an enterprise wide IT solution in its corporate headquarters and across its chain of over 70 stores.
Dublin, September 2008 - Unicare is Ireland’s largest pharmacy group with over seventy stores nationwide. The most progressive chain in Ireland, Unicare is part the Celesio Group, Europe's leading trading company and service provider for pharmaceuticals which generated 22.3 billion euro revenue in 2007. Under the management of Cormac Tobin, Unicare’s MD, the company is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy with plans to vastly increase Unicare’s presence nationwide. Cormac’s comprehensive knowledge of the business means he fully understands the importance of IT to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness. Having chosen Helix Health as their strategic IT partner they are confident about the benefits that QicScript.net is set to deliver.
Commenting on why he chose Helix Health Cormac said “After examining all systems on the market, we feel that Helix Health is simply head and shoulders above the competition. Following the pilot, what impressed us most was their expertise in their field, demonstrated through the ease of implementation and the benefits provided through the head office functionality. Not only did Helix Health meet all our company and budget needs, they more importantly enable us to meet the needs and requirements of our customers and patients. With this new improved IT system our customers will receive a further enhanced pharmacy experience and will be given a more compelling reason to return to our pharmacies."
The high performance QicScript.net head office solution, designed specifically for chains, gives complete visibility and control over the entire Group. Unicare will yield significant cost savings through preferred product management and Head Office Managers can distribute any updates or amendments to all stores at the touch of a button ensuring the complete organisation is using the latest information at all times. This eliminates manual intervention, reduces costs, speeds up processes and maximises efficiencies within the organisation. In addition, up-to-date data on group performance is available, enabling timely management decisions that can positively affect individual store operations.
QicScript.net will also provide Unicare with an easy to use Business Intelligence reporting functionality, providing a competitive advantage through intelligent use of available information in decision making. Each night, data based on key business areas e.g. dispensing data and purchasing data is transmitted back to the data centre and is stored in a data warehouse. The data is then extracted into a format known as “on-line analytical processing” (OLAP) which allows for complex analytical and ad-hoc queries to be carried out rapidly and used as the source for the Business Intelligence Reports. Howard Beggs, CEO of Helix Health, believes “the increase in data collected by pharmacy chains today means there is a greater need to understand and of course transform this data into manageable and useful information.” Traditional report tools and reporting engines offer users a static view of data from a set of parameters like a date range. Business Intelligence reports allow a user to interact with the data returned, to drill down into data and create new views.
Considering the significant challenges and changes in the Irish Pharmacy market today, the need to leverage IT to improve stock management, efficiency and profitability is ever more important. As Irelands leading provider of Healthcare IT, Helix Health have developed a number of innovations which have the potential to transform the management of pharmacy chain operators through the successful implementation of IT.
Commenting on the leading chain choosing the leading provider of healthcare IT as strategic partner Howard Beggs said “This is a huge win for Helix Health, we are continually striving to deliver innovative solutions so that our customers can fully exploit IT to manage business more effectively, reduce costs, maximize profits and achieve strategic objectives. Now, pharmacies ranging from Independents to the largest pharmacy chain in Ireland are using our product, proving we can meet the needs of any pharmacy, regardless of size.”
Deputy Tom Kitt appointed to Board
Electronic Transmission of Prescription technology could deliver significant savings for Government - pilot scheme underway in Waterford
-Deputy Tom Kitt TD appointed to board of Helix Health to push e-health agenda
November 3rd, 2008 - Former Chief Whip, Mr. Tom Kitt TD, has been appointed to the board of Helix Health it was announced today (3rd November, 2008). Deputy Kitt will help drive Helix Health’s e-health agenda, particularly in relation to Electronic Transmission of Prescription (ETP) technology following from the successful introduction of a proof-of-concept pilot in Waterford. Helix Health is now investigating the scale of potential savings that could be made by the introduction of this electronic barcode system nationally. Many European countries have already successfully introduced the technology on a nationwide basis.
“The issue of ETP technology is increasingly topical as we believe its adoption can deliver significant savings for the Department of Health as well as increase patient safety,” said Mr. Howard Beggs, Chief Executive of Helix Health. “The appointment of Deputy Kitt to the board will add considerable experience to Helix Health and reinforce our efforts to deliver the best patient outcomes as well as reducing costs. I am delighted to welcome him to the company and am confident that his strategic input will assist Helix Health in achieving our goals in 2009,” he concluded.
Helix Health is Irelands largest provider of Information and communications technology to the Healthcare sector in Ireland with 60% of GP’s and Consultants using their products, 80% of Hospital Pharmacy, 65% of retail pharmacy and significant customers in the UK in Health Screening, Pharmacy and Online Pharmacy.
The former Minister for E Government and Information Society Deputy Kitt, will join the board alongside other non- executive directors including Peter Murray (Chairman with over 20 years experience in Investment management and venture capital), Lar Bradshaw (MD of McKinsey Ireland since 1995) and Dr. Maurice Cox (former partner in McKinsey and co-founder of The Well primary healthcare practice in Dublin) and Nick Strong (former MD of Systems Solutions).
Mr. Kitt takes up his position on the board of Helix Health with immediate effect and will provide strategic advice on all e-health issues relating to public policy. As former Minister for State of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, he will also provide input on how to utilise the company’s international dimension
CDB Joint Venture
Partnership developed to increase security of patient’s medical records
July 31st, 2008 - Helix Health, Ireland’s largest provider of Healthcare software and IT solutions today announced a joint venture worth a market value of €750,000 per annum, with Central Databank to provide cutting edge back-up solutions to Ireland’s healthcare professionals. Helix Health will now be offering a secure, automatic, managed online backup and disaster recovery service that allows users to upload their patient data to a secure off-site location rather than writing to tape, CD or hard disk.
Speaking at the launch of their new product offering named DataVault pro, Howard Beggs, CEO of Helix Health and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist said, “Given the sensitivity of health related records, we at Helix Health understand that data protection is of particular importance to health care professionals. Over the years we have had incidents where customers, with the best of intentions while using traditional back up methods, have lost significant data through disasters such as fire or IT failures. We are confident that together with a leading technology innovator such as CDB we can offer Healthcare professionals a value added service and peace of mind.”
Central Databank’s primary storage service centre is based in Dublin with full monitoring and reporting offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service will enable users to protect their patient data including any scans, results and images in an offsite location without having to run lengthy daily backups and worry about holding multiple tapes or other backup media in another location.
Dermot Mooney, CEO of Central Databank believes that there is an onus on Medical Practitioners to protect their data. “In light of recent data security breaches in professional sectors leaving customers exposed to identity fraud and given the strong ethical obligations imposed on health professionals in relation to their patients, it is vital that practitioners in this sector take the utmost measures to ensure that their data is both secure and protected.”
Central Databank and Helix Health aim to ensure consistent protection and availability of crucial patient records by facilitating rapid recovery from an emergency, such as computer failure, virus infection, flood or fire which could result in the destruction of the original data.
Helix Health installs Irelands first Willach Automated Dispensing Machine into Achill Pharmacy.
July 22nd, 2008 - Noel Stenson who owns a pharmacy in Achill Sound, Co. Mayo is the first retail pharmacist in Ireland to install a Willach Consis dispensing robot to help with the management of his busy pharmacy.
The Consis robot, supplied by Helix Health, Ireland’s largest healthcare software and IT providers, enables Noel and his staff to automate their drug dispensing process. Prescribing information is entered into a computer which then sends a message to the robot to quickly and accurately dispense the required drugs to an out tray on the front of the machine at the pharmacy counter. The machine saves space and reduces time spent walking back and forth from the counter to dispensing shelves, allowing the pharmacists to spend the time counselling and helping patients. Another major benefit of the machine is that it eliminates human intervention in picking the drugs, reducing the potential for medicating errors.
Helix Health’s Sales Manager, Austin Crowe was not surprised that Noel was one of the first to invest in a robot. “At Helix we know our customers well and know that they are continuously looking for new ways to remain competitive and give their patients the best possible service. That is why we became the exclusive Irish distributor of these machines. Noels many years as a pharmacist are reflected in his knowledge of the business and his understanding of his patients needs. He has always been innovative and forward thinking, understanding the benefits that IT can offer to the running of his business and has always been an early adopter of the new products and technologies that we have on offer.”
According to Noel, “Pharmacy is evolving from a traditional supply function to an extended services operation. These days it’s much more about the extra services you can offer your patients such as Monitored dosage packing, Health Checks, Medicine Use Reviews and other counselling. Even the HSE has acknowledged that pharmacy is well positioned to expand into this role”. Noel is confident that the benefits of his new machine will be well received by his patients, “There will definitely be direct value to my patients, prescriptions will be processed much faster leaving my team with more time with the patients and allowing me to redirect staff to additional value adding services and income streams.”
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Howard Beggs, Helix Health's CEO, has been shortlisted by Ernst & Young for the Entrepreneur of the Year award in Ireland
May 19th, 2008 - Twenty-four companies have been shortlisted across three categories for the coveted 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® award. Over 115 entries were received and nominees were subsequently interviewed by Ernst & Young, followed by rigorous assessment by a 12-strong panel of judges, chaired by telecoms entrepreneur, and previous recipient of the award, Mr. Denis O’Brien.
Eight companies have been chosen in each of the three categories – international, industry and emerging, and cover a cross section of business interests with healthcare and business IT solutions among the top industries represented. An immediate benefit to each of the finalists is an instant access channel to over 200 of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs through strong networking opportunities the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Programme provides.
Announcing the shortlist, Enda Kelly, Ernst & Young Partner-in-Charge of the Programme said “Entrepreneurs play a vital role in economic development and act as invaluable role models for a new generation of entrepreneurs. Our finalists confirm the pattern of previous years of vibrant entrepreneurship present right across the country. All display exceptional entrepreneurial vision, and it is important that we celebrate and recognise their achievement. Their creativity and risk-taking ability acts as the very foundation of our economic prosperity”.
The 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® programme continues to educate around the strategic value of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and this year’s emphasis will be on creating a sustainable environment. The CEO retreat returns to Haiti in June, where finalists, along with previous year’s finalists will work with some of the world’s poorest communities. Here they will impart their knowledge and expertise, to develop the sustainable businesses, set up by last year’s finalists, and, in addition, help create practical solutions to Haiti’s environmental disadvantages – deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution.
“Successful entrepreneurs constantly adapt to changes in the business climate, and now that the age of physical climate change is upon us, these are the visionaries who will make global sustainability a reality, added Kelly. In our part, we will complement the hands-on initiatives in Haiti through the provision of a series of ground-breaking presentations on Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility, led by one of the most prominent figures in the field. These sessions will highlight the enormous strategic value of ‘Green Business’, and hopefully encourage participants to place eco-friendly practice at the core of business operation”. The 24 finalists in the 2008 programme will be profiled in further detail in the Irish Times over the next six weeks, beginning with the International Category on Monday 26th May. Each finalist will also feature in a three-part series to appear on RTE in October. The winner will be announced at a televised Awards Ceremony on 23rd October, held at City West Hotel, Dublin. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Award is part of a global recognition programme, to identify, acclaim and support entrepreneurs. The programme is currently run in over 40 countries, across six continents and in 2008 more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide will be nominated. The Irish programme, now in its 11th year, has been identified as one of the strongest worldwide. Liam Casey, founder and chief executive of PCH International was named as the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®. Liam will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards in Monte Carlo next month, where award winners representing over 40 countries will compete for the worldwide title. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® is run in association with The Irish Times, RTE, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, Trinity Business School and Digicel.
For further information about the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards please visit the Ernst & Young website.
Helix Health and UK IT Healthcare Company, EMIS, announce joint venture agreement
March 31st 2008 - Helix Health Ltd, Ireland’s largest indigenous Healthcare IT provider, has today announced a Joint Venture Agreement with EMIS, the largest Primary Care IT provider in the UK. Under the terms of the Joint Venture EMIS Healthcare software products, modules and components for Dentistry and Primary Care will become available in Ireland through the Helix Health sales and support network. Simultaneously, Helix will gain access to the vast EMIS sales and support network to distribute and support its range of Pharmacy management software applications across the UK.
The Joint venture capitalises on both companies leading positions in their respective markets. “EMIS is a well recognised and respected brand amongst Irish Healthcare professionals and this announcement means that the Irish Market can expect to see EMIS technology becoming available through Helix Health” said Howard Beggs CEO of Helix Health, “By sharing our R&D and software expertise, we can ensure that Irish Healthcare Professionals can benefit from the very “best of breed” of software applications and software modules for their business. In the same way, we believe this Joint Venture with the UK’s leading Healthcare IT provider is by far, the most effective manner to enhance our distribution of Pharmacy software products across the UK.”
“We are delighted with our association with Helix Health,” says Sean Riddell, Managing Director of EMIS, “As Ireland’s Leading Healthcare IT provider, we are excited by the opportunity this Joint Venture provides us with to work closely with Helix Health to introduce EMIS products and software innovations to the Irish Market as part of the Helix product portfolio. We are also looking forward to the expanded market opportunities afforded to EMIS, through the introduction of Helix’s Pharmacy software applications into the UK.”
Under the terms of the Joint Venture, both companies will gain access to each others valuable research and development and software know-how and will look to incorporate features and functionality that will benefit their respective customers.
