21st Jul 2006 07:01
Synergy Healthcare PLC21 July 2006 For immediate release 21 July 2006 Synergy Healthcare plc AGM Statement Synergy Healthcare plc, a leading provider of outsourced healthcare supportservices, announces that at its Annual General Meeting to be held later today,its Chairman, Stephen Wilson, will make the following statement: "Trading in the current year has started well and the company is currentlyperforming ahead of management's expectations. Activity levels have remainedconsistent into the new financial year across all areas of the business in boththe UK and the Netherlands. "The bid pipeline remains active with a large number of new businessopportunities in both the Surgical and Patient Care businesses. New contractsworth £3 million per annum have been won during the first quarter which togetherwith the start of the St. Barts and the London decontamination programme in May,provide a good beginning to the year. "Sales growth in the Netherlands has also been stronger in the first quarterfollowing a £1 million contract win and with the new decontamination contract inAmsterdam starting mid-August, generating further growth in the Dutch business.The new decontamination service in Amsterdam is of strategic importance as onceit is operational it is expected to lead to further contract developments fromwithin the Netherland's customer base. We are particularly pleased to report that Patient Care, consisting mainly ofthe ex-Shiloh businesses, is continuing to improve sales whilst marginimprovements are ahead of plan. Sales in wound care in particular haveaccelerated following an investment in the sales team and supported by strongdemand from the market. Linen management services, which are now part ofPatient Care, have also performed well. Our newest facility in Dunstable hasachieved an efficient run rate but with significant capacity to take on furthercontracts from the NHS as it continues to increase outsourcing. The Surgical business successfully implemented the new super centre in EastLondon providing decontamination services to the St. Barts and the London NHSTrust. This complex outsourcing project has been very well received by thecustomers with improved service standards and patient safety. The projectunderlines Synergy's expertise in decontamination services and provides anotherstrong reference site for existing and future bids. Bidding for the nationaldecontamination projects is ongoing with Synergy now short listed for nineprojects of which the majority are down to two bidders. Amongst the nineprojects is Manchester, where Shiloh was selected as preferred bidder. This ison course to reach financial close in the near future. We look forward to reporting further on progress in what is an exciting year inthe continued development of Synergy as a leading provider of support servicesto the healthcare market. Enquiries: Synergy Healthcare plc Tel: 01332387 107Dr Richard Steeves, Chief Executive 07768 020202Ivan Jacques, Finance Director 07714 012514 Buchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000Tim Anderson This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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