Dublin-based healthcare appointment software group SwiftQueue has raised€550,000 to expand into international markets and invest further in research and development.

The company, which employs 10 people, is planning further recruitment over the next 12 months to support these growth plans.

The funding round comprises a €300,000 investment by Kernel Capital through the Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund, with the remainder provided by Enterprise Ireland.

SwiftQueue chief executive Brendan Casey said increasing efforts to address the challenges in healthcare systems have seen a greater emphasis on the use of technology to deliver integrated and efficient solutions that improve patient engagement.

SwiftQueue has developed a platform that enables patients across the UK National Health Service and Health Service Executive in Ireland to book their appointments online leading to significantly reduced waiting times and non-attendance rates.

Its innovative platform will deliver more than one million online appointments this year.