HealthLink, a major health IT organisation in Australia, has acquired the health messaging and eReferrals business of ASX-listed Telstra Health. 

"Both Telstra Health and HealthLink are ensuring a smooth transition for customers with no disruption to services or support. A transition plan is in place and customers are being contacted," the companies assured customers following the signing of their sales deal. 

THE LARGER CONTEXT 

HealthLink has been ramping up its investments in API and FHIR-based messaging solutions to strategically align itself with the national digital health strategies of the Australian and New Zealand markets. 

It has become a major partner of the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, seven out of eight states and territories, several national hospitals and health services providers in the transition and use of eReferrals. 

Australia's nationwide referral programme My Aged Care last year let go of fax and started transitioning to eReferrals, powered by HealthLink's SmartForm. Its SmartForm technology, integrated into popular GP and specialist clinical systems such as Best Practice, Medical Directory, and Genie, is widely adopted in the country. Also last year, HealthLink started helping digitally deliver referrals for New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania. 

Meanwhile, Telstra disposed of Argus, Connecting Care and e-Referrals as it focuses on connected healthcare, particularly its offering of interoperable solutions such as the digital hospital platform Kyra and its latest FHIR-based virtual care solution Virtual Health Platform. 

"This decision is consistent with Telstra Health’s strategy, focusing on the development of our clinical and interoperable solutions, and partnering where it makes the most sense to deliver the best solutions for our customers," said Telstra Health’s Hospital Care executive Chris Norton.