The EMIS Group's board of directors announced it had acquired Digital Healthcare Limited. Digital Healthcare Limited is a provider of diabetic retinopathy screening and other optical-related solutions to medical practitioners, community clinics, and other specialist clinics. The company said the buyout of Digital Healthcare Limited is in line with their overall goal of rendering cross-organizational healthcare systems.

"I am delighted to welcome Digital Healthcare to the EMIS Group. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in the UK and it has been estimated that screening services could save more than 400 people per year from sight loss in England alone. As well as the obvious health benefits for those suffering from this long term condition, we see immediate opportunities for the Group in the provision of hosted services and a full end-to-end managed Diabetic Retinopathy screening service. In the medium term we also see further scope to integrate primary, community and acute healthcare and data for those at risk," the chief executive officer of EMIS Group, Chris Spencer, explained.

The buyout provides EMIS Group with a solid position in a lucrative niche market. The purchase consideration between the two companies was pegged at GBP3.1 million. The amount is payable in cash from the EMIS Group's existing liquid resources.