Healthcare systems across the world face excess demand for specific treatments and services, leaving providers struggling with increasing backlogs. At the same time, however, private healthcare providers in multiple countries have excess capacity that remains untapped. Health tech startup GlobMed, launched last year, believes it has the solution to these twin problems. We caught up with co-founder David Soffer to find out more.
HTW: These are particularly challenging times for healthcare systems right now. Tell us more about where you fit in in terms of solving these challenges.
DS: Currently, around the world there are health systems; both public, like the NHS, and private. The UK, however, has a unique problem which stems from the fact that, although the NHS does some fabulous work, and although it offers care and treatment free at the point of use, there is only a finite amount of supply, no matter which political party is in charge and no matter how much money it is given.
David Soffer, GlobMed.
Globally, however, private systems operate totally independently as businesses, following business models. Therefore, the level of care provided is high and the service is fast and efficient.
Health systems around the world, both private and public, often face issues relating to the demographics of their host country. There will be excess demand in some areas and excess supply in others. For example, in a country with an older population, demand for orthopaedics may be high, but low for paediatrics, although the paediatric care may be exemplary.
GlobMed has created the world’s first truly global healthcare system and the first truly global standard of healthcare, matching unmet demand with untapped supply, no matter where a patient is and no matter what their illness or ailment. We provide borderless healthcare for everyone, no matter who they are and where they come from.
How exactly does it work?
A patient will get in touch with GlobMed and they will immediately be put in touch with one of our healthcare managers who will ask them the relevant questions and determine what they need.
The healthcare manager, who will be a healthcare professional, will also help initially qualify the patient and then direct them to the correct and most suitable part of the GlobMed network. The patient will be seen by a UK-based doctor who will ensure the treatment option is suitable for them and will also check the patient’s health to ensure they are suitable for any recommended treatment.
Furthermore, if the patient needs to be taken abroad for any treatment, this will be assessed with regards to their suitability and if they are not suitable to travel, a UK option will be provided within the GlobMed network.
The aim of GlobMed’s service is to make sure each and every patient receives the best care for their needs, wherever it is best delivered.
You launched the firm last year. What were the standout challenges in getting to that point?
There are, as you would imagine, a great deal of compliance considerations and strict governance that need to be considered. It is healthcare after all, and therefore there is a lot to consider. GlobMed offers the best healthcare options and so, finding, identifying and on-boarding the best healthcare professionals and practitioners in any and all fields is also a challenge. GlobMed is also looking to develop some bespoke tech solutions for the industry and to solve some very specific and complex healthcare problems, which takes a great deal of work!
What is the most innovative characteristic of your solution?
There has never been a global healthcare provider and there has also never been a truly global standard when it comes to healthcare; think about it, if you travel abroad and need a doctor, it can be very tricky.
GlobMed cuts out these challenges and opens up every single patient to the highest standards and quality of healthcare. Also, unlike health tourism, where you are pretty much just given a plane ticket, clinic address and appointment, we take care of everything from start to finish. this includes pre-op assessments, travel and logistics and post-operative care and all else besides.
We are in essence, your healthcare concierge and your guardian angel as well as the answer to your healthcare prayers.
How did you personally come to entrepreneurialism and GlobMed?
I studied and graduated with a degree in biomedical science in 2014 and have always, from a young age had a strong passion or medicine and healthcare. This is something I remain passionate about to this day.
Medicine and healthcare are amazing, as they can literally change people’s lives in so many positive ways, and we really hope that GlobMed delivers positive changes to millions of people’s lives around the world through the best healthcare.
Although I have a background in biomedical science, I co-founded both an SEO marketing consultancy as well as TechRound, a platform for tech and start-up businesses. Thus, blending my passion for healthcare with my passion for start-ups was a no-brainer and remains something that greatly excites me.
The other co-founders have established themselves in various areas of business ranging from property to investments and technology. We are building a strong team with strong and credible credentials, that we are really proud of.
What are you plans in the short and long term?
We are looking to build and establish the world’s first truly global healthcare network and are in the process of getting the providers and clinics on board with us. We are launching in the UK, which is a superb market for what we offer.
The NHS has a backlog of many millions on numerous waiting lists. Therefore, being able to take even a small bit of that pressure from the NHS by tapping into our global healthcare network is part of our phase 1 strategy.
We will be expanding further into Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America, to broaden the scope of who GlobMed works with, within our strict principles and quality guidelines and to whom we can offer the best medical care and treatments. We are working to establish GlobMed as a truly global healthcare provider, across every corner of the planet.
Digital health has exploded during the pandemic. How do you think this trend will play out in the next few years?
Digital health will only continue to grow and more and more players, both large and small, are entering the market from various angles. However, there will likely be a greater split between which healthcare services and products can actually be delivered digitally versus those that can be managed digitally
