iSoft deal almost done

Healthcare software supplier will remain commmitted to delivering NHS software

iSoft is to be sold to IBA Health

Shareholders of healthcare software specialist iSoft yesterday approved the sale of the company to Australian firm IBA Health.

A succesful court hearing on 29th October will allow iSoft shares to be de-listed and the sale completed the next day.

The deal is as good as done, said Gary Cohen, executive chairman of IBA Health in a statement.

"It's been a long journey. You would have to say we are in the final 100 meters dash to the finishing line, and there's no-one else at the starting gate, " he said.

Cohen said iSoft will remain committed to delivering the Lorenzo product - a key part of the £12bn National Programme for NHS IT (NPfIT) – by 2008.

The sale was originally blocked by CSC, which oversees 60 per cent of the NPfIT, because of concerns about delivery of Lorenzo.