Healthcare is the latest industry to receive an “on-demand” makeover. According to Google data, the number of searches for “private GPs in London” is growing 20pc year-on-year but industry data show that private bookings are only growing 4pc a year, suggesting that existing clinics aren’t working for patients.
Alex Hamilton had experienced chronic back pain as a result of his time in the armed forces but found it extremely difficult to get an immediate appointment with a GP. Research revealed he was far from the only one having trouble.
In fact, over a million people in London and across the UK were struggling to access primary care when they needed it. And Hamilton found that it seemed to be only private GPs who could take on those in need immediately – yet felt going private was only really accessible to the wealthy.
Already keen to start his own business, a mutual friend introduced him to Dan Faber – a former accountant and self-taught coder – and DocTap was borne; an affordable same-day private GP service.
DocTap allows people to book a same day, face to face appointment with a GP from £29 to £44 depending on the time of day and how far in advance the booking is made. There are no additional charges for writing prescriptions, sick notes or referral letters.
Its 50 subcontracting doctors – who are all highly experienced and UK accredited – are able to see four patients in an hour in 15-minute slots in Central London clinics that are all run from a centralised admin office manned by virtual receptionists. Patients are able to request a female or male doctor when they book an appointment and can choose to see the same doctor again.
Since starting two years ago, DocTap has treated more than 20,000 patients – 97% of whom it claims would recommend the service to their friends and family – with tourists and students accounting for a large proportion of its customer base.
DocTap is on track to hit £1.2m turnover in 2018 and the next 12 months will see the business consolidate its business in the capital before expanding to new cities and, eventually, overseas.
For Alex Hamilton, co-founder of DocTap, video interactions can never replace face-to-face consultations. DocTap will launch their app in early 2019 allowing them to offer GP consultations in various clinics across London, later nationwide, which are booked and paid for easily through a web
engine. “Face to face is better,” says the former officer in the Irish Guards. “Internet-based GP consultations just don’t cut it.”
We’ve been at DocTap’s side since inception, helping them with their accounting and tax, as well as guidance in their financial decision making. Along the way we’ve helped implement a cloud accounting solution using Xero, as well as assisting in the claiming of Research & Development Tax Credits, and EIS funding compliance.
1. Comprehensive Analytical Review
2. Competitor Benchmarking
3. Company Valuation
4. Credit Rating
