Dr Anshumen Bhagat’s GP home-visiting service, GP Delivered Quick (GPDQ), allows patients to book ‘on demand’ face-to-face appointments by going online or using an app.
The private service, first launched in London in 2015 and then extended to Birmingham in 2016, now also operates from Manchester, Cardiff, Oxford, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
In its first CQC inspection report, published in the spring, GPDQ was described as being ‘innovative’ in its use of IT ‘to improve how patients could access primary care without the need to visit a GP surgery’. It also highlighted how the service’s app helped to ensure patient requests were ‘matched with the clinician best suited to meet the patient’s needs’ based on geographical location and individual preferences.
However, it is not universally welcomed. As Pulse’s cover feature this month reveals, there have been concerns around the impact such app-based services are having on traditional NHS practices, especially when many are struggling with funding and recruitment.
But the company points out that it only hires GPs who also work in the NHS and Dr Bhagat – who is a GP principal at a north London NHS medical centre – claims around 25% of them were considering leaving their NHS jobs until they became involved with his private service.
He says is now on a ‘personal drive to stop GPs leaving the country – or worse, leaving the profession’.
Why influential: Growing an app-based service with NHS GPs in mind
What others say: ‘He keeps staff both engaged and employed in various portfolio careers’
Random fact: He’s superstitious – if he sees a magpie he’ll salute it
