Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton has announced that Berkshire based healthcare IT company Aura Healthcare is to set up a base in Belfast, creating 10 new high quality jobs.

Formed in 2012, Aura specialises in software development and IT services and solutions that help healthcare professionals to automate care processes and support workflow across hospitals, clinics and primary care centres.

Invest NI has offered Aura £79,500 of support toward the new jobs which will generate over £300,000 annually in salaries.

Mr Hamilton said: "Aura's Belfast operation will be integral to the development of new software solutions for Aura’s target market. Northern Ireland offers the company a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading clinical specialists, in the delivery of advanced healthcare solutions. This makes it a welcome addition to the local healthcare and IT sectors especially as its specialist services are in demand throughout the UK and Europe.

"The high quality posts are in line with our focus on securing jobs that pay above the NI private sector median and will provide a welcome boost in terms of salaries and IT sector opportunities. The investment is also expected to drive innovation in the healthcare sector, which is in line with our collaboration policy on Connected Health with the Department of Health, in Northern Ireland."

Adrian Stevens, CEO, Aura Healthcare said: Aura was established last year in response to the growing demand for IT solutions that enable clinicians to deliver safer, better quality care efficiently.

"We currently employ 17 people in the UK, many of whom have spent years working in healthcare IT, across a variety of departments and organisations. We are expanding rapidly and in searching for the right location, Belfast stood out because of the combination of highly-skilled people, infrastructure, access to the healthcare sector and the availability of financial support from Invest NI."

(CD/MH)