UnitingCare Health Extends Relationship with Cerner

UnitingCare Health (UCH) announced today it has chosen Cerner (NASDAQ: CERN) to remain as its healthcare information technology (HIT) provider for clinical and patient administration system solutions. Commencing their relationship in 1999, the two organisations recently signed a five-year deal, which will provide solutions to all of the health system's hospitals, including The Wesley Hospital and St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital.

"The business of providing private healthcare has become more challenging and highly cost competitive,' said Richard Royle, UCH Chief Executive Officer. 'I'm pleased to affirm that Cerner remains the best fit to our business needs."

UCH conducted an extensive market evaluation of the HIT software suppliers in the Australian healthcare market. The hospital conducted the evaluation, which spanned two years, to ensure it would remain competitive in the changing business environment in Australia. UCH decided to renew its contract with Cerner because it provides the best fit for its business needs and best value for investment.

'UCH has a strong reputation in providing high-quality care in Queensland,' said Rick Heise, Cerner Asia Pacific Managing Director. 'We are proud to extend our relationship with one of the top not-for-profit healthcare systems in Australia, and will continue to work together with UCH leadership to help them continue to deliver safe, efficient care to their patients.'

The five-year agreement will facilitate further enhancements of the Cerner Millennium^® solutions currently in use at UCH.

About Cerner

Cerner is taking the paper chart out of healthcare, eliminating error, variance and waste in the care process. With more than 6,000 clients worldwide, Cerner is the leading supplier of healthcare information technology. The following are trademarks of Cerner: Cerner, Cerner Millennium and Cerner's logo. NASDAQ: CERN. www.cerner.com.

About UnitingCare Health

Launched on the 13th of June 2000, UnitingCare Health now operates one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Australia. Our group of hospitals contain over 1,000 licensed hospital beds spread amongst our five facilities:

The Wesley Hospital

St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital

The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital

St Stephen's Hospital, Maryborough

St Stephen's Hospital, Hervey Bay

Today the group employs over 3,500 staff, being a mix of full-time, part-time and casual. UnitingCare Health will admit around 90,000 Queenslanders in this 12 months and undertake around 63,000 surgical procedures. In the last financial year, the group had a total annual revenue in excess of $350 million which will be used to improve our services and facilities.