A web browser with potential in health service and industry applications, has been launched nationally by a North Yorkshire company.

Medical information Support and Advisory Network (Misanet), developed by Neotouch in York, is already in use at Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust, which is looking to adapt it further.

Misanet is a secure, interactive web browser, a commercial alternative to standard web browsers, providing a controlled, secure way of delivering information across both local and wide area networks such as hospitals and businesses.

Neotouch plans to create a further six jobs as a result.

Richard Lacey, Neotouch director, said: "There are many cases of patients looking up details of illnesses they have been diagnosed as suffering from and not being able to find information.

"Misanet allows people to find medical information about their condition in a way that enlightens them."

A team from Business Link North Yorkshire, led by Bill Powrie, helped Neotouch, which was established last October, to get off the ground.

Neotouch director Keith Simpson said: "Business Link North Yorkshire has been a really helpful support team which has prevented us from going down blind alleys.

"Their help has allowed us to concentrate on developing the web browser by streamlining the time it has taken for us to take the business this far."

The web browser is being developed for use with other web-based applications, such as human resources, allowing staff to access information about holiday entitlement, pensions, company car schemes and overtime pay, without needing to take up the personnel department's time.