GE Healthcare announces software development investment

GE Healthcare has announced new plans to invest heavily in the development of new software for healthcare systems and applications over the next five years.

The company has earmarked $2 billion (1.28 billion pounds) to advance its current and future product offerings so they can better address the various new operational and productivity challenges facing healthcare organisations worldwide.

Working closely with the GE Software Center of Excellence in California, the firm will create solutions that will help providers care for more patients, reduce their operational costs and minimise wasted time through greater ease of collaboration.

John Dineen, president and chief executive officer of GE Healthcare, said: "These new software solutions will look to connect caregivers in a meaningful way to the systems upon which they rely, enabling them to deliver better informed diagnoses and improved care."

Last month, the company announced the acquisition of the transactional business of Unisyn Medical Technologies for an undisclosed fee, adding new ultrasound probe repair solutions to its portfolio.