A DYNAMIC Gwent IT company has been selected as one of just four UK firms to supply specialist software for a national NHS screening programme.

A budget of £28 million has been set aside for software and cameras to enable the NHS to screen diabetic patients for the sight-threatening condition of diabetic retinopathy.

Cwmbran based Orion Imaging took part in a parade of IT companies competing for preferred supplier status for the programme and underwent a vigorous nine-month audit.

Four companies, including competitors the size of Siemens, were selected by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.

The news is a big boost for the company which claims it will have a significant impact on its future growth and job opportunities.

Managing director Steve Chave said it would provide an "unsurpassed opportunity" to raise the profile of the business and expand.

Orion employs nine people will take on an additional five immediately and begin searching for larger premises.

He said: "You cannot over estimate the significance of this - it was a hard-fought contract which took a lot of effort but we are confident we have the staff and the production capacity to make the most of it."

Monitoring the health of the eye involves taking an ophthalmic image using specialised cameras and software developed by Orion that can provide an instant, highly-magnified colour image on screen.

In addition, Orion has developed a software solution that manages all aspects of the screening service including patient management, treatment tracking, clinical data processing and database archiving.

Mr Chave explained that Orion's software had been contributing to the management of UK retinopathy screening services since 1998. One of its clients is the All-Wales Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service based at Upper Boat.

"We were fortunate to have worked with UK authorities in this field who were at the forefront of initiating large-scale screening programmes."

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels of the retina which can lead to blindness.

It's the biggest single cause of registered blindness in the UK amongst working age people.

But regular eye examinations to spot the disease in its early stages can significantly reduce its impact.

The WDA's technology and innovation team has supported Orion with grants and advice.

Senior programme manager Steve Smith said: "This is exactly the type of home-grown, knowledge-based company that the Welsh economy needs.

"The Agency will be supporting Orion with its future research, development and exploitation of new products and systems for the health market."