ASCRIBE, the health software company, has boosted its international links with a swoop for a business in New Zealand.

The Bolton company, which is listed on AIM, has agreed to pay up to é3.38m for the health division of Jade Software Corporation.

Ascribe supplies software to hospital pharmacies, mental health and children's health units and GP surgeries.

The company helps doctors, nurses and administrators to make appointments, prescribe treatments and complete other clinical tasks.

The business has around 30 staff and has offices in Sydney as well as in New Zealand.

Ascribe founder and chief executive Stephen Critchlow said: "This is an important move for us. We already trade in Australasia and this deal will allow us to build the business there to critical mass. We already provide hospital pharmacy software solutions to four of the eight Australian jurisdictions and to 20 per cent of the New Zealand public hospital market.

"Expanding our customer base internationally us a central part of our strategy and Jade Health's market-leading position creates an exciting opportunity for Ascribe."

Mr Critchlow, 45, says the UK business is "growing like topsy" and the company is a major beneficiary of the government's huge IT investment programme in the NHS.

In 2005, Jade Health reported profits of é300,000 on sales of around é2.3m. The company provides IT systems to 24 hospitals and health service organisations in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

In addition to the acquisition, Ascribe has signed a strategic partnership with the former owner of the health business, Jade Software Corp, which will ensure the long-term application development and maintenance of support contracts.

Ascribe has recruited Bryn Evans as chief executive of its Asian Pacific region. Mr Evans will be based in Sydney. He is a former chief information officer of South Eastern Sydney Health Service. Tweet