Forward - the communications tool for NHS health professionals
by Startacus Admin
Forward - the secure app for NHS clinicians to easily and instantly communicate with each other, share 
patient information, and prioritise tasks
The NHS always seems to be in the news, either as a victim of poor pay and unfair treatment of nurses or as the object of criticism. This service that the country relies on to help them when they are unwell isn’t doing particularly well in keeping up with modernity.
One way this presents itself to NHS staff is communications. In 2018, doctors and nurses are still using archaic communication systems like pagers and landlines and switchboards. This absurdly outdated, time-wasting system needs to change to save time and undue stress, and a 
group of London doctors have decided to do just that.
Junior doctors Lydia Yarlott and Barney Gilbert partnered with mobile entrepreneur Philip Mundy to create Forward, a secure app for NHS clinicians to easily and instantly communicate with each other, share patient information, and prioritise tasks.
Staff can share images to ask for opinions and advice; find anyone in the hospital through the directory, rather than needing that person’s contact number beforehand for the likes of WhatsApp; and, vitally, they can see the importance of an instant message, rather than a simple pager notification, which comes with no measure of urgency.
Security is obviously hugely important, and the app is secure all of the way. From accessing it only with an NHS-
approved email address and pin, to encryption of transmitted information, to secure cloud storage. Even within the app, users can only access information that either they themselves created or that has been specifically shared with them.
Earlier this year Forward raised $1.3m in seed funding, and the free app is already being used by 2000 clinical staff in the UK so far. Forward calculates that the app can save these staff up to an hour every day. Considering that this hour would otherwise be wasted running about answering pages and trying to get hold of other staff on landlines, etc., that’s a significant time-saving that could literally be a life-saver.
If you like the sound of this HealthTech startup, you might also want to read up on:
Phlo - an innovative app which is providing a real-time NHS pharmacy delivery service.
Storiicare - innovation in person centred care.
OurPath, which combines digital technology with lifestyle changes to help people live more active lives and prevent or lessen symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Whether you're recruiting for a small tech startup or a large well-established organisation, these tips will help you stay on top of your game
AlphaBeats is a startup that's created an innovative way to help us all us fight stress while we unwind listening to our favourite music
Whirli is an innovative toy subscription service providing you with access to a huge ever-changing toy box
.jpg)
To help businesses make their employees feel secure in the current lockdown, Jayne Harrison, Head of Employment Law at Richard Nelson LLP outlines the legalities that they should adhere to
.jpeg)
If, like many of us you're working from home at the moment, here are a few basic tips to help you do just that - in comfort
The award winning Lloyds Lab incubator is back and is currently seeking innovative startups to join its latest cohort, Cohort 6.
The f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign that's showcasing the inspirational female entrepreneurs who are running small businesses and supporting their communities
Bankhouse Media, the leading full-service digital marketing agency expands its offering and sets up a Belfast base in Glandore
Leading event marketplace, Feast It secures major funding boost to assist with its expansion to full event planning and also further grow its virtual events offering
The London-based fintech innovator, PayDashboard, receives Innovate UK Funding to support its growth in the financial wellness space
Published on: 15th April 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Innovative InsurTech startups take note - Lloyds Lab wants to hear from you 14th Jan 2021 The award winning Lloyds Lab incubator is back and is currently seeking innovative startups to join its latest cohort, Cohort 6.
- Female Entrepreneurs Powering Economy and Communities Celebrated 13th Jan 2021 The f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign that's showcasing the inspirational female entrepreneurs who are running small businesses and supporting their communities
- PayDashboard secures funding boost for its innovative payslip platform 12th Jan 2021 The London-based fintech innovator, PayDashboard, receives Innovate UK Funding to support its growth in the financial wellness space
- The Wild Curl crowdfunds to fight against hair discrimination 21st Dec 2020 The Wild Curl launches crowdfunding campaign to help with its mission of disrupting the beauty industry and fighting against continuous hair discrimination
