Press Release
Healthcare Communications acquired by cloud communications software specialist IMImobile
Macclesfield, 7th December 2017 – Healthcare Communications, the UK’s leading provider of appointment management and patient experience communications, is set for a new future following its acquisition by IMImobile PLC, a cloud communications software and solutions provider that helps companies use mobile and digital technologies to communicate and engage with customers.
Healthcare Communications pioneered SMS text appointment reminder services in the UK and now works with 140 NHS organisations, delivering more than 100 million secure patient communications a year via SMS, IVM, telephone and email – in addition to postal and portal communication channels. More than 4,000 NHS staff use the company’s messaging services daily.
Its innovative services are proven to save the NHS time and money and improve the patient experience. Its appointment reminder service delivered a £1.5 million efficiency saving for Leeds Hospital NHS Trust by cutting outpatient ‘did not attends’ (DNAs) by 5%.
The acquisition by IMImobile PLC will open up new opportunities for the Cheshire-based company – giving it access to a next generation software platform and a 250-strong team of developers.
Mike Cunningham, Managing Director at Healthcare Communications, who will continue in his current position, explained that it would be ‘business as usual’ for NHS customers. He said:
“We are very excited to become a part of the IMImobile Group, who are a well-established global leader of customer engagement communication solutions to leading enterprises worldwide. It will significantly accelerate our ability to invest in our products and services to support NHS England with its digital transformation agenda.
I would like to reassure all of our customers that there will be no change to our existing, high-quality services; our 55-strong team remains unchanged and the existing management team will continue at the helm.”
Jay Patel, Chief Executive Officer at IMImobile, commented:
“We are delighted with the acquisition of Healthcare Communications. This will allow us to extend our cloud communications technology and solutions to support the public services and healthcare sector. The use of data and digital communication technology has the power to transform patient communication and support whilst driving greater operational efficiencies. We look forward to working with the Healthcare Communication team to take advantage of the close synergies bringing new services to the UK healthcare market.”
The NHS has identified better use of digital patient communications as an important driver of efficiency savings as it works to close a £30 billion funding gap by 2020/21. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed that missed hospital appointments (estimated at 1 in 10 of outpatient appointments) cost the NHS around £750million a year.
Healthcare Communications’ technology is proven to help NHS trusts reduce ‘did not attend’ (DNA) rates by as much as 30%. The company is also the leading provider of Patient Experience surveys, and in 2016 it developed a unique Patient Portal, enabling patients to securely login to receive appointment information. In just six months of using the portal, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had reduced the number of outpatient letters it sends by 40% in its pilot campaign.
Healthcare Communications will continue to operate under its current name. Managing Director Mike Cunningham, Commercial Director Kenneth Bloxham and Rebecca Cunningham will remain with the business to oversee the integration and delivery of future growth initiatives.
The transaction was led by Grant Thornton Corporate Finance (Richard Goldsack, Joe Pollard and Robert Umpleby) and DWF (Frank Shephard and Matt Judge) on behalf of Healthcare Communications.
About IMImobile PLC
IMImobile is a cloud communications software and solutions provider that enables companies to use mobile and digital technologies to communicate and engage with their customers.
Organisations that trust us to deliver smarter digital customer engagement solutions include Vodafone, Telefonica, Aircel, Capita, BT, BSNL, Ooredoo, MTN, France Telecom, Centrica, Pizza Hut, Tata, the AA, the BBC, EE, Multichoice, Betfair, government agencies and several major financial institutions.
IMImobile is headquartered in London with offices in Hyderabad, Atlanta, Dubai and Johannesburg, and has over 1,000 employees worldwide. IMImobile PLC is quoted on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market with the TIDM code IMO.
About Healthcare Communications UK Ltd
Founded in 2000, Healthcare Communications is the leading provider of patient communication services in the UK healthcare market – working with 140 NHS organisations and delivering 100 million secure patient communications a year, including outpatient appointment reminders and follow-up letters. It provides communications services to patients via SMS, IVM, telephone and email as well as providing postal and portal communication channels. Its innovative services are proven to save the NHS time and money and to improve the patient experience. www.healthcare-communications.com
Media contact
Healthcare Communications:
ruth@weareic.com
M. +44 (0)7896 125 764
T. +44 (0)161 694 3977