Uber-style service books carers instantly

HEALTH EDITOR A NEW Uber-style service allowing families to instantly book carers for loved ones is to be rolled out nationally.

The scheme – the biggest health start-up in Europe – comes in response to a growing crisis in elderly care, with record levels of bedblocking in hospital, often for want of home options.

The new venture, called Cera, which launches tomorrow, claims it will guarantee a carer to a patient’s front door or hospital bed within four hours. Care can be tailored to specific conditions such as dementia.

It has been set up by Dr Ben Maruthappu, 28, a junior doctor and innovation adviser to Simon Stevens, the NHS chief executive, and by web entrepreneur Marek Sacha, 29, who runs a digital supermarket service. Supporters include David Buttress, the Just Eat boss, who has invested £1.3 million.

Dr Maruthappu said: “Digital technology has changed so many aspects of our lives – how we order food, books, hail a cab or even dating – yet when it comes to the really important aspect of our lives, we often don’t get the help we need. No carer works seven days a week so you need a system which responds flexibly to what people want, and to the hours people can work.”

The service will allow relatives to log on and check the records of their loved one’s care, and receive text alerts letting them know that visits have been completed.

At first, Cera will only be open to those who self-fund care although its founders said they hope to work with councils across the country.

George McNamara, Alzheimer’s Society head of policy, said: “In certain cases this app will be very useful, such as helping a person with dementia make the transition from hospital to home at a reasonable hour. However, we can’t rely on this new technology alone. People living with dementia deserve the best possible care and this can only be achieved with long-term planning.”