Released: 04 November 2011

Salts Healthcare has acquired Sussex-based healthcare company Healthlink for an undisclosed sum as it expands its UK customer service network.

Healthlink is an independent Dispensing Appliance Contractor based in Shoreham, with one license covering Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, and Surrey. Founded over 30 years ago, it has successfully served the area and its patients under the stewardship of founder and owner Liz Box, who is retiring.

Family owned Salts Healthcare has been continuously innovating from its Birmingham base since 1701. In addition to designing and producing ground-breaking ostomy and orthotic products, it operates Salts Medilink, one of the largest medical appliance home delivery services in the UK. The acquisition of the Sussex based firm will enable Salts to reach patients across the South Coast and increase the number of Care Centres to 17 making the company a truly nationwide operation.

Salts Medilink, combines the expertise of specialist nurses with that of a rapid, reliable and discreet prescription delivery service for ostomy and incontinence products. Via a team of dedicated and fully-trained staff at our network of customer Care Centres, Salts Medilink can offer a personal service which offers:

• 24-hour emergency freephone helpline (UK only)
• Free cut-to-fit and personal modification service
• 24-hour online ordering facility
• Free pre-paid envelopes for your next order
• All makes of product stocked and supplied
• Free disposable wipes and Disposapacs
• Free vanity case with your first order
• Free 24 -hour home delivery
• A range of accessories
• Prescription based service
• Repeat prescription collection service

Peter Salt, Managing Director of Salts Healthcare said "We are very proud of Salts Medilink. It provides a vital service to ostomy and continence patients throughout the UK and we pride ourselves on going that extra mile. We don’t simply mail products, but have a UK network of centres managed by full-trained staff to ensure patient advice is discrete, professional and local. In addition we can provide a free home visiting service by our fully qualified Stoma Care Nurses to help patients with all aspects of Stoma Care Management."

"We have found ourselves delivering supplies to patients who are on holiday and have run out, the same has happened numerous times during Easter and Christmas. That passion to provide the very best service is found across the Healthlink team and it’s that same quality of care and professional principals that attracted us and we are delighted that Healthlink is joining the Salts Medilink family."

Liz Box, founder of Healthlink said: "I started the business over 30 years ago and have seen it grow into a highly professional operation serving Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, and Surrey, although we do also deliver to other parts of the British Isles. I’m very proud of Healthlink and feel very privileged to have worked with an excellent team of people. I’m a little sad to be retiring but this is a new chapter for both me and the company, and I’m delighted that my work will be continued with the same passion by Salts Healthcare. As a family-owned firm, I know that Salts will look after my company, my staff and most importantly the patients who have made the business what it is today, some of whom I have got to know very well."

Business is strong at the moment for Salts Healthcare. 2011 has seen yet more new product launches, significant growth in the export market with new territories and distribution, and with acquisition of UCI Healthcare in 2010, our purchase of Healthlink shows just how serious the company is in developing its business. The key to their success, according to Philip Salt, Chief Executive Officer, is continual investment in production, R&D and innovation. He said "Our early history shows we were originally metal workers who progressed to surgical instruments. This adaptation was borne out of our home-made, but specialist skills and the desire to innovate. The same principles apply now, especially in a global economy with pressures for cheaper products coming from across the world". He continued "We pride ourselves on our research and development; it’s a large percentage of our business. We are not a plc, but a medium sized family-owned company that can engage with our markets quickly. Join that to our desire for innovation with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, we hope the Salts name can continue to serve our patients for many hundreds of years to come".