Member Article

Global success for software firm

A Sunderland start-up business is set for worldwide success following the launch of a system designed to revolutionise healthcare services.

Software firm Heridian has developed a system which enables better access to primary healthcare for patients living in remote areas of the world. With support from Sunderland City Council, the company is set to launch to the Chinese health service and expects to create 25 jobs in Sunderland.

Developed over the last seven years, i-MED Telemedicine Portal technology provides a secure portal and a suite of software programmes which can be used by nurses, GPs, specialists and consultants to record and send patient and incident details.

The technology integrates with vital medical equipment, such as MRI scanners and x-ray machines, to relay diagnostic information from local health centres to remote specialist doctors for diagnosis, recommendations and treatment plans.

Heridian’s managing director Peter Fullarton said: “In many countries large numbers of the population live in rural areas and do not have easy access to primary health care.

“We have developed the i-MED platform to bridge the gap and provide much improved access to healthcare for those living outside of the major cities and potentially hundreds of miles from appropriate medical services.

“The technology has the potential to improve access to healthcare for the billions of people around the world living in rural areas.”

Councillor Bryan Charlton, Prosperous City Portfolio Holder at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted that Heridian opted to establish its base on Wearside. Sunderland has a reputation for its high tech telecommunications and network facilities providing the ideal environment for any business in the IT sector. Among the attractions are well positioned, high quality sites and premises and, excellent telecommunications connectivity.”

Following a three-month pilot in China, the i-MED platform is set to be rolled out to the entire province’s healthcare network which serves 76 million people and from there to the rest of China.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .