Software solutions are essential across all industries. In today’s digital age, information technology and digitization are indispensable. Among the noteworthy companies in the IT and software sector is Phoenix Partnership, a Leeds-based firm specializing in clinical software development. Learn more about its history on leeds-future.com.
About the Company
In 1997, Leeds-based computer programmer Frank Hester created a system to store patient records. Inspired by his wife, who was a practicing physician, Hester aimed to simplify her work by digitizing patient data. This effort led to the development of the “SystmOne” platform, a clinical IT system that initially connected general practitioners and a diabetes service in Bradford.
Phoenix Partnership quickly gained recognition and began expanding its reach beyond the UK. In 2013, the company participated in trade missions to India and China, signing its first memorandum of understanding with a Chinese province the following year.
In 2016, Phoenix Partnership secured its first contract in the Middle East. The company deployed SystmOne in Qatar’s private healthcare sector, covering 300 primary care facilities.
Controversies Surrounding the Company
Despite its success, the SystmOne platform faced criticism for security vulnerabilities. Between 2015 and 2018, a system breach exposed personal data of 150,000 patients. Phoenix Partnership issued a public apology for the incident.
In 2017, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office identified issues within the system that affected 2,700 general practitioners across the country.
In 2024, another controversy emerged involving founder Frank Hester, who was accused of making racist and misogynistic remarks. The company denied the allegations, reiterating Hester’s firm opposition to racism.
SystmOne: A Centralized Clinical Computer System
SystmOne, developed by Phoenix Partnership, is widely used across the UK’s healthcare sector, particularly in primary care settings. This centralized clinical computer system includes various modules tailored to different medical fields: general practitioners, penitentiary institutions, child health, community units, and palliative care. In 2013, additional modules were introduced for secondary care, including community hospitals, emergency and urgent services, maternity care, mental health, and social services.
Phoenix Partnership has also pioneered electronic patient records (EPR). These records eliminate the need for extensive paperwork by securely storing patient data digitally. The system allows general practitioners, community services, and care homes to share records with patient consent, enabling streamlined processes like medication prescriptions and referrals without requiring an in-person visit.
Phoenix Partnership, headquartered in Leeds, has significantly contributed to modernizing medical record management in the UK. Its flagship SystmOne platform has earned acclaim for reducing paperwork and facilitating efficient electronic data entry in healthcare institutions.
We hope this article has provided you with insightful information about this notable Leeds-based company and its impact on healthcare technology.