2nd August 2023

Digital patient referral system attracts £320,000 investment to alleviate NHS backlog

Birmingham-based HealthTech company Capri Healthcare has secured £320,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) through the MEIF West Midlands Equity Fund managed by Midven, part of the Future Planet Capital Group. The investment will enable the company to expand its service to more hospitals and to build more specialty pathways.

Capri Healthcare is a software development company specialising in digital patient referral and automated triage solutions. Their flagship product, TriVice^TM, revolutionises the patient referral and triaging process. It’s AII-driven algorithm allows clinicians from various healthcare disciplines to easily raise referrals to any provider, including secondary, tertiary, and community services. As a web and mobile app it ensures that clinicians always have access to the platform regardless of their location.

The solution enables efficient referral management and triaging to provide specialists with a single source of all necessary information in priority order.  They can then quickly accept or reject referrals, leading to streamlined communication and task tracking. The App integrates with leading electronic patient records (EPR) systems. The digital process replaces traditional referral methods to increase clinician availability and enables them to dedicate more time to patient care. In time the app will enhance healthcare efficiency while improving patient experience with minimised waiting times and reduced unnecessary A&E visits.

Over seven-million patients are currently waiting for a hospital appointment across all specialities, with a backlog of unaddressed referrals by already overloaded staff. The long waiting lists for specialist services adds to the strain felt by A&E departments, as patients self-refer to emergency departments for non-emergency care. Capri Healthcare addresses these pressing issues and proves its success through existing implementations, making the company a strong investment candidate.

The company has existing traction with the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Trust. Currently, 750 clinicians across 19 NHS Trusts in the Midlands are actively using the software for seamless clinician-to-clinician communication and referrals to the plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and rheumatology departments. This successful implementation showcases the company's ability to improve collaboration and streamline the referral process in a real-world healthcare setting.

Valleesh Athreya, Co-Founder and Director at Capri Healthcare Limited, said, “The investment will enable us to realise the NHS digital first strategy through innovation and transformation in both public and private healthcare. ensuring timely and patient-centred care for all. Our specialty-agnostic approach, configurable pathways, and seamless integration capabilities will empower clinicians. Enabling them to tackle the backlog of referrals, enhance overall efficiency, and improve access to specialist services.”

 Huw Sparkes, Junior Investment Manager at Midven, said, “Capri Healthcare’s impressive software is poised to revolutionise the healthcare landscape by addressing the critical issue of NHS waiting lists. Their innovative technology has the potential to significantly reduce waiting times and improve patient access to care. By supporting Capri Healthcare, we aim to make a tangible impact on the lives of patients while advancing the future of healthcare.”

 Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said, “The MEIF supports innovative SMEs in the midlands, it’s great to see industry-leading tech solutions receiving investment through the fund. Capri Healthcare is an excellent example of how MEIF funding can support the expansion of successful businesses looking to grow client bases and reach.” 

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.