Patchwork Health, a health-tech company providing a digital healthcare staffing platform, has raised £3.5 million in its latest round of funding.
This round of investment follows a recent raise of £3 million in January 2020, to support the company’s growth plans.
Founded in 2016 by NHS doctors Anas Nader and Jing Ouyang, Patchwork Health’s workforce technology now supports over 70 NHS providers to fill vacant shifts and offer staff flexible working. The company notes that through using the platform an estimated £21 million in temporary staffing fees have been saved.
Patchwork said the funding from investment partners Praetura Ventures and BMJ New Ventures – the investment arm of BMJ – both of which have backed the business for several years, will again be used by the company to support its growth.
During the pandemic, the technology supported a COVID-19 staff bank for doctors in north west London, with 14 local hospitals creating a shared pool of staff to cover absences and respond to peaks in demand.
Dr Anas Nader, commented: “The NHS is facing a workforce crisis. Burnout is at record levels and more staff are planning to leave than ever before. And the systems which manage the NHS workforce are exacerbating the problem. As a doctor, I know how frustrating it is to feel like a number on a spreadsheet rather than a human being with a life outside of work – it’s a key driver in pushing people out of the healthcare profession. If we’re reaching burnout, we have two options: put up with it or quit. Our technology and services are making a different, better way possible.
David Foreman, Managing Director at Praetura Ventures and Non-Executive Director of Patchwork, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Patchwork team. From the moment we met Anas and Jing, we could see the passion for their business. Patchwork is helping to solve a staffing crisis in the NHS. They’ve made real strides over the last 18 months and have the potential to make seismic changes in the way we organise staff in one of the world’s largest healthcare systems.
“At a time when there’s so much pressure on the frontline, innovative platforms like Patchwork will help us shape a better future for this critical industry whilst continuing to maintain high levels of patient care. Everyone at Praetura Ventures is excited to help Patchwork build something that’s going to benefit so many people.”
