Focus Group dives deeper into healthcare with Voice Connect buy

The merger follows 18 months of collaboration between the two firms

Focus Group has acquired Voice Connect, a telecoms, NHS systems integration, and self-service automation provider to align with healthcare’s digital transformation.

This strategic move will aim to boost the VAR’s healthtech portfolio by combining its sales capabilities with Voice Connect's product experience in AI-driven solutions.

The merger comes after 18 months of close collaboration between the two companies.

Voice Connect's Patient Partner platform, a telephone-based self-service system for NHS patients, aligns with Focus Group's cloud telephony and contact centre solutions, which are delivered through its Think Healthcare division.

Think Healthcare is an NHS-approved cloud telephony systems for GP practices, which intends to boost patient access with call-back options, priority routing for vulnerable patients, and integration with clinical systems.

Over the last year and a half, the two companies have joined forces to deliver Virtual Care Navigator, an automated patient service solution to primary care providers.

"Voice Connect has an outstanding reputation and this is testament to their outstanding team and their proven expertise in the healthcare sector,” said Rhys Bailey, CRO at Focus Group.

“Together with our recent expansion within the health and care sector under our Think Healthcare division, we’re creating a truly compelling proposition that aligns closely with the next stage of NHS digital transformation, and we plan to drive continued success in this area."

Sarah Sanders, MD at Voice Connect, added: "Voice Connect has always been about delivering innovative solutions and tangible benefits to customers.

“Now, together with Focus Group, we will have the strength, depth and shared ambition to enable us all to go further, faster.

“The opportunities to grow Voice Connect with a focus on expansion of our Patient Partner solution across more health and care related sectors, while accelerating its adoption of the benefits presented by evolving AI-based technology is an exciting one."

This new investment comes just a month after the one the West Sussex-based company bought Matrix247, a comms, IT, and mobile services provider.