Access to integrated care improved with acquisition

A growing presence in the local government, health and social care software sectors has announced its latest acquisition.

The Access Group, which has its new headquarters in Loughborough, has bought Servelec, which specialises in supplying software services to NHS trusts and local authorities.

The acquisition will enable Access to offer a greater depth of services across key state sectors, combining Access’s “suite of health and social care solutions with Servelec’s ability to integrate technology”.

Access hopes the acquisition will give it the opportunity to play a part in the new integrated care systems being adopted across the country to promote more joined up care.

Servelec, which is based in Sheffield, recently bought Elemental Software, a provider of social prescribing technology.

Steve Sawyer, managing director of Access Group’s health and social care division, will lead the enlarged business, supported by Servelec’s existing leadership team, including Steve Wightman, healthcare managing director, and David McKinney, local government managing director.

Elemental Software will continue to be led by co-founders Jennifer Neff and Leeann Monk-Ozgul, while Servelec’s chief executive officer, Ian Crichton, will step down after supporting the initial transition.

Steve said: “Access’s purpose is to support customers with the freedom to deliver outstanding care.

“Combined with Servelec’s focus on improving lives with technology that matters, and Elemental’s work to reduce health inequalities through the social prescribing movement, we have the opportunity to make a real difference together.

“Aligned to the government’s strategy for integrated health and social care, this deal will help us create better outcomes for clinicians, social care professionals and other care providers, plus the people they support.

“From the point of first need through to the delivery and monitoring of services, we aim to provide more efficient, cost-effective services, help the NHS and local government track and plan for long-term challenges and provide a continuous integrated view of a person’s health and social care journey.”