Medilink West Midlands B2B opportunities service has seen Hospital Direct (Marketing) sign an exclusive distributor agreement with CopperTree Forensics for its infection control solution the CiFi Torch.

The CiFi Torch is a powerful LED forensic light source. Standing for ‘Cleaning Inspection Forensic Investigation Torch’, the product can locate traces not visible to the naked eye, even in bright light ambient conditions. Developed by CopperTree Forensics, in two years CopperTree has seen its technology used in crime scene investigation, with clients including the NYPD and MET Police. 

Supported by research conducted by Professor Cassella and presented to the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the CiFi Torch has been introduced to the healthcare market.  

At the height of COVID-19, the need for the use of the CiFi Torch became apparent. Holding both a national and global presence in the healthcare market and being a 2019 Shropshire Chamber of Commerce award winner, Hospital Direct were also chosen to be the supplier of specialty equipment for the nationwide Nightingale Hospitals. The company has been manufacturing and supplying the NHS and associated healthcare establishments with UK made patient handling aids for over 25 years. 

CopperTree’s CiFi torch’s LED’s can locate and detect traces of latent fingerprints, sweat, urine, saliva, blood, and other biological traces which can encourage the spread of infection and viruses. The torch uses specific colour wavelengths of light to highlight unclean and potentially infectious surfaces during forensic examination. It was the perfect aid for the healthcare market to support what Is commonly known as ‘Infection Prevention, and Control’.

Stephen Murphy, business development director at CopperTree Forensics said: “We are specialists in the Policing and Forensics market, but wanted a credible partner with a proven track record of successfully delivering the latest products and technology to the healthcare sector. By utilising Medilink WM’s B2B Opportunities Service we were introduced to Hospital Direct who fitted the bill perfectly, with its contracts across the country - in the NHS, private healthcare, community and care homes.”

Hospital Direct has been developing and enhancing their services to the healthcare sector to tackle and solve problems created by COVID-19 such as developing new PPE products. This opportunity came as they embarked on providing deep cleaning technology and services to the care home and healthcare sector. This new device highlights the problematical areas and shows where they have been treated and eradicated post cleaning, thus part of providing a 360-degree solution.   

Helen Gutteridge, technical director at Hospital Direct said: “Medilink West Midlands has been instrumental in introducing our two companies, previously unknown to each other, but linked by a common desire to help healthcare organisations and their staff manage cleaning effectively during and post the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.”

The two companies are now signing an exclusive distributor agreement and hope to open up the healthcare market to the benefits that the CiFi Torch pack can offer customers across the country. 

Chris Dyke at Medilink West Midlands was delighted that two ‘look ahead’ companies have struck a deal via the B2B opportunities service. 

He said: “It’s been great to help another two companies that have been supporting the health and care sector during the COVID-19 crisis with this newly launched service. It also goes to demonstrate that working together with our colleagues at the WMAHSN, NHS and other business support organisations such as the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department of International Trade, that with our pooled support and services we cannot only make a difference for people using health and care services but for the region’s economic prosperity.   

“This new service is gaining a lot of attention and is allowing us to help companies to engage with one another and develop new business arrangements and relationships whilst enabling them to see new business opportunities and growth in these difficult times.”