Bosses at troubled healthcare software firm iSoft say talks are progressing satisfactorily over a possible takeover for the company.

The statement came after the firm, which is moving its group headquarters to its Banbury offices, unveiled a pre-tax loss of £14.3m in the six month period to October 31.

That compares with an £8m profit in the same period last year.

A company statement said: "On October 17 2006, we announced that the board had received expressions of interest from a number of parties interested in acquiring iSoft, taking a large shareholding in iSoft or creating a significant strategic alliance with the company,"

"These discussions are continuing satisfactorily at this time and we will make a further announcement in due course."

ISoft has been hit by a string of profit warnings linked to delays in a £6bn pound project to upgrade computer systems for the National Health Service and is also being investigated by the Financial Services Authority for irregularities in its past accounts.

Shares in the company which have slumped recently, jumped by more than 15 per cent to per cent to 47p.