Northgate expands reach into healthcare HR


9 Jan 2007

Northgate Information Solutions plans to expand its services to human resources (HR) departments in the Irish healthcare sector using a job evaluation product it now owns following its acquisition of the UK company Link HR Systems.

Northgate Information Solutions is the parent company of Northgate HR, formerly known as the Cara Payroll Group in Ireland. Following the deal, Link HR is to be integrated into Northgate HR, which provides outsourced payroll services to public and private sector customers.

One of Link HR Systems’ main products is a job evaluation system it developed which is currently used in every NHS Trust in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Northgate said it hoped that Link HR Systems’ software would help it to expand its services further into the Irish Healthcare sector. The company already provides payroll services to St Vincent’s, St Michael’s and Beaumont hospitals in Dublin and Mercy Hospital in Cork, as well as to six of the former Health Boards around the country.

Niall Doherty, managing director of Northgate’s Irish operation, said that Link HR’s set of products and services would complement existing Northgate offerings. “The combined company will provide a substantial opportunity for cross-selling, which presents a fantastic growth opportunity for us. We are particularly excited about the potential benefits for the healthcare sector. It can reduce the job evaluation process from four weeks to just 48 hours.”

According to Mike Doodson, group sales and marketing director with Link HR Systems, the combined products are designed to help HR departments keep pace with changing legislation, reduce their administrative burden and increase the strategic impact of their pay and grading decisions.

By Gordon Smith