Medtech ‘digital hospital’ startup launches online NHS waiting list tool

A medtech startup has launched a new tool designed to estimate waiting time for NHS patients.

Medtech Medbelle has launched its NHS Waitlist Estimation Tool in order to support patients awaiting treatment during the COVID-19 crisis.

Founded in 2016, Medbelle is a ‘digital hospital’ that focuses on providing end-to-end care for elective procedures.

Medbelle’s tool, which makes use of publicly available data published by the NHS, allows users to estimate waiting lists based on former NHS capacity.

Leander de Laporte, CEO and co-founder of Medbelle, commented: “Understandably, the NHS is under extreme pressure to treat the onslaught of patients who have been admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment.

“This necessary re-allocation of resources has consequently led to immense uncertainty for those who had already been waiting for treatment for procedures unrelated to COVID-19. The possibility of a second peak dramatically increases the number of patients who will have to wait.

“We are working hard to improve the tool further, such as by providing estimated waiting times by hospital.”

Sebastian Winkler, head of new ventures at Medbelle and creator of the tool, added: “We originally created the waiting list estimation tool for internal planning - however, it became apparent that there is high demand for this kind of information from patients who have been waiting for treatment.

“At Medbelle, we strive to bring transparency and ease to the healthcare industry. By making the waitlist estimation tool accessible to patients, we hope to bring a topic that might otherwise be exclusive to experts to the general public as a starting point for discussion.”