Doctaly, a UK-based health-tech marketplace that brings on-demand, affordable, face-to-face general practice (GP) appointments to patients, has successfully secured its initial £500,000 through its equity crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube.
The company, which launched a pilot in 2016, describes itself as the UK’s first online GP marketplace enabling patients to book a convenient face-to-face consultation with an NHS GP on a private, fee-paying basis. Doctaly stated it brings the similar dentistry model to General Practice for the benefit of both doctors and patients.
“General Practice is widely recognised as being in crisis. An ageing and growing population, lack of funding, and falling GP income has resulted in many doctors leaving the profession. Average patient waiting time to see their registered GP now exceeds two weeks in London, up 35% in one year. Our model seeks to alleviate the problems on both sides, by providing additional flexibility and income for the doctor, and access, choice and convenience for the patient. Doctors treat Doctaly patients at their existing practice, working around their existing NHS commitments.”
All funds from the Crowdcube campaign will be used to sign up GPs, develop B2B distribution partnerships, execute B2C marketing strategies, further develop the technical platform, build iOS/Android apps, and build its internal team and operations (i.e. sales, partnerships and customer support teams). Doctaly also reported:
“The business has been funded to date by directors loans from the Founders and SEIS/EIS investment from external investors. This money has funded the development of the platform, legal and accounting work, marketing/PR and the London-based pilot. There are directors loans in the business.”
The campaign is currently set to close at the end of January.
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