WETHERBY-based software company Blackbox Medical had landed two new NHS contracts in the North East.

The firm has signed deals with two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Co Durham, meaning doctors in the area will now be able to compare their patients’ hospital treatment discharge information with more detailed data provided for aftercare.

A spokesman for Blackbox Medical, based in Audby Court, Wetherby, said: "The root of the problem is the current incompatibility between the computer software used by NHS hospitals and those used by GPs.

"Letters are late or never sent, while the information on them can be scant and therefore misleading."

Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (DDES CCG) and North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group are the first in the UK to purchase the specialist software.

Dr Stewart Findlay, chief clinical officer for the DDES CCGT, said: “We were pleased to find a solution to this patient safety issue which enables us to assure all the patients in our region that we consider their wellbeing a high priority. It will also improve the efficiency of our CCG management team."