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Telstra Health has announced a key development in its health analytics capability with confirmation it has acquired UK based firm Dr Foster.

As part of the announcement it was revealed that Telstra Health will continue to build the Dr Foster business in Australia and the UK, as well as further pursue international opportunities. Telstra Health had previously secured the exclusive rights to provide Dr Foster products and services in Australia in December 2013, with contracts now in place with 15 hospital services in Australia.

Dr Foster works with healthcare organisations to achieve sustainable improvements in their performance through better use of data. It uses risk adjusted methodologies to compare the outcomes of individual hospital patients, allowing adjustment for individual factors such as medical history, age or other background factors.

Shane Solomon, Telstra Health’s managing director, said the Dr Foster acquisition will provide Telstra Health with cutting edge analytical capability and is a natural addition to its health analytics stream.

“We’re delighted to acquire Dr Foster. We have had a successful relationship as the exclusive reseller of Dr Foster in Australia and when the opportunity arose to purchase the company we saw it as a logical next step, acquiring not only a leading and innovative business but also the experience and skills that will help us compete on the global stage,” Mr Solomon said.

Health analytics is a key ingredient to improving efficiency, safety and outcomes for patients, providers and health insurers. The acquisition of Dr Foster aligns with Telstra Health’s strategy to create a truly connected health care system and become a provider of integrated eHealth solutions.

“We’re committed to building the business, both in the established markets in Australia and the UK, but also to explore more global opportunities and ways we can integrate the product with other eHealth solutions to create a connected system.”

Dr Foster co-founder and director of Research and Public Affairs, Roger Taylor, said that Telstra Health possessed the right values, expertise and resources to help take the company to the next stage in its development.

“This is a really exciting development for Dr Foster. Telstra Health brings the resources, scale and expertise to help us take the company forward and maximise the opportunities that an information driven health system can provide for patients,” Mr Taylor said.