Strategic acquisition will enhance diagnostic imaging in the UK

A North West diagnostic imaging company has merged with a well-known provider of ultrasound services.

The deal between Altrincham-based Diagnostic Healthcare and Chester-based Ultrasound Now will create a major provider of diagnostic services in the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands and North Wales.

The enlarged business will offer an enhanced service in more than 45 clinics across these areas, scanning more than 80,000 ultrasound patients a year.

Diagnostic Healthcare operates a network of centres across the UK providing MRI scans, ultrasound, bone density scans (DEXA scan), health screening and reporting services. The company is supported by a fleet of mobile scanners so that medical diagnostic services can be carried out as and when required across the country.

Ultrasound Now has been providing services since 1995 and offers end-to-end integrated ultrasound solutions to both private and NHS patients within hospitals, GP surgeries, dedicated community sites and private clinics and hospitals.

Speaking about the acquisition, Liat Karni, managing director of Diagnostic Healthcare, said: “The combination of both companies will greatly expand and enhance our professional and management teams which will bring significant benefits to customers.

“At Diagnostic Healthcare we currently provide a huge range of diagnostic services - including ultrasound – but this acquisition means we will be able to further expand the ultrasound services we offer. We will now have a network of more than 50 world class sonographers which enable us to deliver any size of contract. The merger will double the number of customers serviced under the Diagnostic Healthcare umbrella.

“The excellent relationship between our two companies bodes well for a successful joint future and by working together as a single, larger team we will strengthen our capabilities in clinical governance, IT and other systems to plan, manage and successfully deliver top class diagnostic services across the country.”

Julie Burnage, director and founder of Ultrasound Now said: “We are delighted to merge with Diagnostic Healthcare. There is a huge synergy between our companies and by working together we can offer enhanced diagnostic services in key areas of the UK. We believe we have a strong future ahead and plan to expand into new geographical areas to ensure that more customers are able to access our services.”

Ultrasound Now will continue to service its existing clients, now backed by the strong support capabilities of Diagnostic Healthcare.

Earlier this year, Diagnostic Healthcare secured £1 million investment from The North West Fund for Biomedical, managed by SPARK Impact. The funding was used by Diagnostic Healthcare to help expand its diagnostic services, increase community services in more locations across the country and expand its portfolio of medical equipment.

Mrs Karni added: “We would like to thank our investor SPARK Impact for their support of this transaction and for our ambitious growth plans in general.

Dr Penny Attridge, senior investment director at SPARK Impact and manager of The North West Fund for Biomedical, said: “We’re delighted to see one of our investee companies thriving like this and hope to see it continue to build on its successes. Diagnostic Healthcare is a real success story from our portfolio and an asset to diagnostic imaging in the North West and UK.”