Uber inspires tech plan for private healthcare
ANEW tech platform designed to directly compare the costs of elective procedures in the private healthcare sector has officially launched.
Birmingham-based Get Well Soon said it had been inspired by brands like Airbnb and Uber and wanted to remove the traditional barriers to entry into private health by providing a single place to compare, choose and book consultations with clinicians.
Get Well Soon is part of the Quinton-based Medmin Group and is led by chief executive Keith Duddy and colorectal surgeon Simon Radley as chief medical officer.
It has recruited 50 practitioners from across the West Midlands ahead of the launch and says it wants customers to feel empowered to select the best option for their own healthcare needs and be able to book an appointment to see a specialist in the region within a week.
If a patient decides to go to surgery, the price that has been quoted to them will be guaranteed by Get Well Soon if it is booked through the platform.
The company said part of its mission was to eradicate the hidden costs and “nasty surprises” that could occur when accessing private healthcare.
The launch has been supported by a £1.45 million fundraise last year after Medmin became the first recipient of capital from the newly-established West Midlands Co-investment Fund, set up to support SMEs that offer high-growth potential in sectors such as green tech and digital. Get Well Soon was also included in our annual ‘Ones to Watch’ feature which brought together experts to highlight companies worth keeping an eye on in 2024 and beyond. Mr Duddy said: “Long wait times in the NHS are unfortunately now a fact of life but we know that, for some people, waiting for treatment can cause immense difficulty and therefore getting treated privately might be a better option.
“Since the pandemic, demand for self-pay surgery has been on the rise and we understand that, for patients without health insurance, the process can often be daunting and confusing. We set out to make the process simple and transparent.
“We have been inspired by platforms like Airbnb and Uber which have transformed the way millions of people approach travel and transport. We want to bring the same approach to private healthcare, making access to elective surgery simple and safe.”
Mr Radley added: “We’ve worked incredibly hard to onboard some of the most trusted and well-respected practitioners across the region and offer them a new way to connect with patients.
“Get Well Soon is paving the way for a better customer experience for patients and a more transparent approach to private healthcare that has been sorely needed.
“The West Midlands is only the beginning. As delighted as we are to bring our software to market in the heart of the UK where Get Well Soon is proudly based, we’ve set our sights on changing the norm across the country.”