BOTHELL, WA, January 28, 2002 - Sonosite, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO), world leaders in the hand-carried, point-of-care ultrasound market, today announced a two-year agreement with the leading medical equipment supplier in the United Kingdom, National Health Service (NHS), to provide NHS customers the Sonosite 180PLUS and the SonoHeart PLUS systems. NHS is responsible for purchase and supply management of over 85 percent of all medical equipment sales in the U.K. The agreement became effective January 1, 2002.
"We are very pleased to award Sonosite our national contract, which allows supplies managers in all NHS Trust Hospitals to purchase Sonosite systems without the complexities involved with the tender process normally associated with ultrasound system purchases," said Sue Hartell, Radiology Buyer, Diagnostic Medical Equipment, NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, U.K. "
We are honored the NHS has selected Sonosite to participate in this national contract, which indicates the widespread acceptance Sonosite systems are gaining in the U.K. - the fourth largest ultrasound market in Europe," Kevin M. Goodwin, president and CEO of Sonosite, Inc. "Our agreement is a major milestone for the Company's future growth in the U.K. and marks the beginning of a strong partnership with NHS."
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