Push Doctor
 | |
Type of site | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Key people |
Eren Ozagir, CEO Matt Elcock, CTO |
| Industry | Healthcare |
| Website | pushdoctor.co.uk |
| Native client(s) on | iOS, Android, Windows |
Push Doctor is an online doctor consultation service headquartered in Manchester, UK. The service currently has over 7,000 GMC registered UK General Practitioners (GPs) available and connects patients to these for secure online video consultations.[1] The service is accessed via computer or a number of mobile and tablet apps. As the result of a consultation patients can then be referred, provided with a fit note or issued with a prescription for medication.
History
The service was founded in July 2013 by Eren Ozagir and Matt Elcock, initially receiving $1.2 million in seed funding. In mid-2015 a nationwide TV campaign aired to promote the service to new users.
In January 2016, Push Doctor raised $8.2 million Series A funding lead by Oxford Capital, Draper Esprit and Partech Ventures.[2] Reports suggest the investment would be used to "strengthen brand position, carry out further product innovations, expand the management structure, including making key marketing and product hires".[3]
In July 2017, Push Doctor raised a further $26.1 million in Series B funding, taking the company's total funding to $37.5 million.[4]
Market research
A study commissioned by the company found that 11% of the UK population resorted to searching the internet to diagnose health issues when unable to see an NHS doctor.[5] A survey commissioned by the company in March 2016 was reported as showing that 62% of respondents had used a smartphone or computer for GP services including ordering repeat prescriptions, accessing medical records and even Skype-style video appointments with a doctor. 29% had ordered repeat prescriptions online, while nearly a fifth have had a video appointment with a GP. A further 25% were prepared to consider a video consultation if they could have a same-day appointment.[6]
Partnerships
Push Doctor is also a HIPAA compliant NHS commissioned technology provider, offering a primary care delivery platform that allows GPs working within the NHS to provide an online consultation service to their patients.[7]
Performance
In June 2017 it was condemned by the Care Quality Commission as it was found not to be safe, effective or well-led. The inspectors found it was prescribing high-risk medicines to patients without performing proper checks, and in at least one case was prescribing drugs for uses beyond their licenses. The Chief Executive of Push Doctor, Eren Ozagir, claimed that there were factual inaccuracies in the reports and that guidelines against which they were inspected against were completely new.[8]
References
- ↑ "The digital doctor will see you now... 7 days a week". Mail Online. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ↑ O'Hear, Steve. "PushDoctor, The U.K. Video-Based Doctor Service, Scores $8.2M Series A". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ↑ O'Hear, Steve. "PushDoctor, The U.K. Video-Based Doctor Service, Scores $8.2M Series A". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ↑ Shead, Sam. "An app that allows you to see a doctor in minutes has been backed with $26.1 million". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
- ↑ "People In Essex Are Googling Chlamydia More Than Anywhere Else". The Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ↑ "Sick of waiting? The doctor will Skype you now as 'digital health revolution' sees patients choose internet over GPs". Daily Mail. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ Bryant, Martin. "Push Doctor could get the UK used to paying for healthcare". The Next Web. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ↑ "CQC rates one in four online primary care services as unsafe". GP Online. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.