Healthtech players DrDoctor and Intouch with Health have joined forces in a partnership to deliver a fully integrated virtual consultation and digital pathways solution to NHS Trusts.

DrDoctor’s video consultation solution and Intouch’s integrated virtual clinics management suite were scheduled for release in late 2020, but both companies expedited the development and launch of their software to help alleviate the strain on hospitals.

The integration of virtual and video consultation services aims to benefit both clinicians and patients.

By connecting the DrDoctor patient portal to the Intouch Patient Flow platform patients should be able to manage all their appointments, launch video consultations, complete digital assessments forms and check-in for their in-person appointment from one place. From within the platform, clinicians will be able to manage their complete clinic caseload – face-to-face, video or phone as well as record their follow-up requests.

DrDoctor founder Tom Whicher said: “Beyond the current crisis is a secondary looming threat - the backlog of routine patients who've had their care delayed or cancelled. Up to 50% of non-essential care has been cancelled, leaving millions of people waiting for treatment.

“It’s important to explore the solutions hospitals will need to deal with this pent-up demand as we look to the next 6-12 months. Beyond that, it's likely that healthcare will never look quite the same, so we've developing tools to help patients and doctors with the new normal, and tools to care for and treat patients in a new way.”

DrDoctor’s offerings include its end-to-end solution for appointments, digital pathways and its video technology, which has been praised by practicioners. CEO of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Trust Dr. Ian Abbs has encouraged colleagues within the NHS “to come and see the system live, and to work out the benefits it could have for their patients and organisation”.

The software allows clinicians to send out broadcast messages, with the option to filter by clinic. Doctors also have oversight of upcoming appointments in a virtual waiting room, while appointment links avoid the need for multiple patients in one virtual room and remove the risk of "gatecrashers.”

The DrDoctor-Intouch partnership aims to have a lasting impact on the delivery of care across the country. It’s hoped embedding new tech will help Trusts solve backlog issues, manage the risk of delaying treatment, and provide timely support to every patient.

Mike Sanders, CEO at Intouch with Health said: “It is essential that suppliers can deliver the functionality and integration that is required to ensure ease-of-use and ROI in healthcare settings. A key focus for us has been how to support the NHS marry up the patient and the clinician and collate all the relevant data from these remote consultations and put that into the necessary systems to aid efficiency. That is the challenge hospitals are facing.  

“Through close cooperation and collaboration, we are able to provide users with one cohesive, integrated system that has been designed specifically for the healthcare environment, incorporating the complexity of patient flow and organisational efficiencies.”