EMIS Group ends first half in line

Connected healthcare software and services provider EMIS Group updated the market for the six months ended 30 June on Tuesday, reporting that trading for the half year had been in line with the board's expectations, with revenue ahead of the comparative period as the group continued to benefit from strong market shares, high levels of recurring revenue and good visibility in its order books and pipelines.

The AIM-traded company said its expectations for the full year remained unchanged.

In its ‘Primary, Community & Acute Care’ division, EMIS said its leading primary care market share had been maintained, while constructive discussions with NHS Digital were continuing with progress made in resolving the service level issues announced in January.

EMIS said it advanced again in community, with further contract wins, and the acute business saw an improved performance.

The roll out of ‘ProScript Connect’, the group's next-generation pharmacy dispensary management product in community pharmacy, had continued to plan, with the business said to be moving forward positively.

EMIS said the improvement in trading in ‘Specialist & Care’ in the second half of 2017 was maintained during the period, with a strong focus on operational delivery.

Its ‘Patient’ division continued to make good progress in building the first UK marketplace for healthcare.

The board said a major step in the project was the launch of an upgraded Patient Access app in May.

In parallel, it said patient.info had continued to develop its audience with an increased focus on advertising sales.

The group's net cash at 30 June was £32.3m, up from £14.0m at the end of December, which the company said had benefited from the usual seasonal first half inflow.

“EMIS Group has continued to trade in line with our expectations, while at the same time we have delivered good progress on the key projects set out in March and on developing our detailed plans for growth,” said chief executive officer Andy Thorburn.

“The board therefore remains confident in the outlook for the business.”

EMIS Group said it intended to announce its results for the half year ended 30 June on 31 August.