UK-based digital healthcare company, Doctor Care Anywhere (DCA), has announced that it is entering the Republic of Ireland's healthcare market.

The expansion of its digital health service offering comes after signing an agreement that enables it to provide its services to one of the UK's main banks. 

WHY IT MATTERS

DCA’s patients in the Republic of Ireland will benefit from a range of virtual GP services, such as being able to pick up medication prescribed by DCA’s GPs from their local pharmacy and schedule consultations with doctors registered with the Irish Medical Council.

Patients will be able to book 20-minute phone and video GP appointments and request specialist referral letters and certified fit notes, which can be sent by patients directly to their employer.

DCA uses cloud-based technology to join primary care, diagnostics and secondary care to provide joined up care across the patient journey.

Patients are provided with a single, secure digital patient record that they can access at all times. 

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Earlier this year, DCA offered free remote consultation training programme for NHS GPs as part of the response to the threats posed by the coronavirus. DCA's clinical team created a portfolio of resources and materials, including webinars, e-learning packages and virtual drop-in clinics.

ON THE RECORD

Dr Bayju Thakar, chief executive officer of Doctor Care Anywhere, said: “We are delighted to have entered a partnership to support one of the UK’s leading retail financial services player, to ensure their employees are able to access the excellent medical care and support that they need from our highly-skilled clinicians, especially during this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our entry into the Republic of Ireland is an integral part of the business’s future growth plans. We are excited to bring innovative new services to this healthcare market through one of our valued channel partners, transforming employees’ health and wellbeing, and are pleased that there has already been a high activation rate among individuals who have access to our service.”