High street retailer Boots acquires health tech company Wiggly-Amps

High street retailer Boots has acquired tech company Wiggly-Amps in a bid to boost its stake in the digital healthcare sector.

Wiggly-Amps provides a number of online services including check-in screens at GP surgeries, weight measurements, consultations and prescription services as well as creating and hosting GP websites.

The company, which was bought for an undisclosed fee, will operate as a separate entity to Boots under the name Engage Health Systems, the retailer confirmed.

Despite the new name, there will be no change for current customers using their products.

The acquisition will allow Boots to access patients’ GP records for ordering prescriptions online.

Richard Bradley, pharmacy director at Boots UK, said: “Wiggly-Amps allows Boots UK to access software, which provides the technology capability that links the customers and patients from Boots, directly to their GP records for ordering prescriptions online.

“Not only will this empower customers to better manage their healthcare needs in an accessible way, it will make the process much simpler and quicker for patients and supports the NHS in the longer term.”

Jon Witte, managing director of the newly-named Engage Health Systems, said the move marked “exciting times for further development and enhancement of the products”.

He added: “As the market leader, Boots UK has the scale and reputation to make the best use of this software and we look forward to working with Boots UK to help them fulfil their vision of connecting directly with their customers simply and quickly.”

The company also runs an online panic button service, Little Green Button, that allows doctors and staff to quickly alert each other if assistance with a patient is needed.

The service will remain in place and be operated under the company name Little Green Button.