GP Delivered Quickly (GPDQ) is a private GP service where patients can request a GP and track their progress from their smartphone, via the GPDQ app. The service can provide remote access to a GP, in a clinic, or a home visit at a cost starting from £50. The company is targeting people who would normally choose a private GP service, but it is also hoping to attract disgruntled or worried people unable to get an out-of-hours GP visit or a GP appointment at a convenient time with the NHS.
Strategy
The company began with Greater London for postcodes within the M25 and across Birmingham, but now notes on its website that the service is nationwide.
GPDQ was the first ‘in person’ GP on demand app to launch in the UK. The company notes that it is setting the clinical standard for innovative healthcare services and received an outstanding CQC inspection report in March 2018.
Patients receive a consultation with a GMC registered NHS GP who has undergone GPDQ’s screening process and patient care training programme.
The service allows patients to book an appointment with a GP – at a location of their choice – between the hours of 8am and 11pm, seven days a week. Patients can also choose to see a GP via a remote link or have a home visit. They can track their GPs’ progress and estimated arrival time on their smartphone, with an average wait of ‘within 90 minutes’. As well as GP consultations the service also provides vaccinations, physiotherapy, audiology, health checks, and blood tests.
Part of the company's strategy is offer a range of healthcare services to employers, including clinics in their offices, vaccinations and health assessments.
Financials
Account records for GPDQ on Companies House show for the year to December 2022. These are very limited accounts for a small company. For the year to December 2022 the company had net current liabilities of just over £5.1 million, up from £3.6 million in 2021.
The ultimate parent company of GPDQ is PDQ Technologies Ltd; Dr Anshumen Bhagat and Paul Roberts are directors of both companies.
Dr Bhagat also holds board positions for the company GPdoctor LLP.
Investors
GPDQ is funded by private equity whereby companies or investors directly invest into the company. In April 2020, IW Capital completed a £2 million investment in GPDQ.
Contracts
Following success in London after its launch in 2016, the company expanded to Birmingham, beginning with 20 GPs on its books to cover the city. The company now says it works nationwide.
Concerns
There is a general concern with the new digital services, such as GPDQ, Push Doctor and Zoom Doctor, and their use of NHS GPs; although the doctors will be paid extra, their time and energy is being taken directly from the NHS with nothing given back. In addition, GPs already work inhumanely long hours and inviting them to work through their lunch-breaks or after hours will make this worse, meaning that all patients could end up receiving sub-par treatment if doctors work longer days. This is just a quick digital fix for those who can afford it that overlooks the bigger picture.
