UK’s first virtual outpatient service
Medefer is revolutionising outpatient care with the UK’s first virtual platform, enabling faster and more efficient patient referrals managed by NHS specialists.
Objective
Digital transformation of outpatient care
The goal of this project was to address inefficiencies in the traditional outpatient model, which has remained largely unchanged since the NHS's inception. Medefer aimed to reduce patient waiting times and alleviate pressure on hospital outpatient services by developing a virtual outpatient platform.
This platform allows GP referrals to be reviewed online by NHS specialist consultants within 48 hours, enabling faster triage and care decisions. By streamlining this process, the platform supports the NHS in reducing backlogs, enhancing access to specialist care, and providing timely diagnoses for better patient outcomes.
role & contribution
As the founding product designer at Medefer, I played a central role in shaping the entire virtual outpatient platform from the ground up. I was responsible for both the design and management of the project, including defining the strategy, creating the roadmap, and leading the design process. My work extended beyond just UI/UX design to include overseeing product development, coordinating with stakeholders, and running pilot tests at hospitals to ensure the platform met real-world needs. This involved close collaboration with NHS specialists, healthcare professionals, and technical teams to align the product with user requirements and regulatory standards.
measurable impact
The launch of the platform led to measurable improvements in healthcare efficiency and patient experience. By providing faster access to medical specialists and eliminating the need for in-person visits, Medefer has significantly reduced waiting times and alleviated pressures on the NHS outpatient system. This has been especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical consultations were limited, leading to a surge in virtual referrals and consultations.
In addition to improving access to healthcare, Medefer’s platform has enabled better resource management and streamlined the referral process. It has been integrated into the NHS England Increasing Capacity Framework, helping reduce the backlog of outpatient appointments and supporting NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in managing new referrals more efficiently. These improvements have directly contributed to reducing wait times, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving the adoption of more scalable, tech-enabled healthcare solutions across the UK.