MedSync

NHS currently have a 'tap the app' feature that allows patients the option to notify if they're unable to make their appointment. Correct use of this feature could result in millions of appointments for those in desperate need - but this is impeded by people not having notifications on to access these reminders, and reluctance of NHS users to make the most of the app’s built-in features. According to the 'Hospital Outpatient Activity 2024-25', in 2024-25 there was an increase of 7.8% in appointments - but compared to a decade ago, 2014-15, there has been a decrease in appointment attendances overall. Roughly 6.4% of NHS appointments are missed each year, costing £1.2 billion annually. Research suggests that the biggest indicator/predictor of no-shows is long wait times between booking and appointment.

Our proposal is for a real-time data-powered NHS cancellation marketplace that instantly redistributes unused appointments to waiting patients, reducing wasted clinical time and significantly reducing waiting lists. We are building a website and app that tracks appointment cancellations and allows you to rebook an earlier appointment instead of waiting months for a scheduled appointment on a growing issue. 

Patients can opt-in for real-time alerts on earlier appointment availability in their area. This allows patients to access earlier appointments where possible and reduce anxiety around wait times and receiving care. Furthermore, early encouragement to seek medical support leads to earlier prevention, resulting in a reduction of burden on NHS services. Clinical efficacy is improved, patient and appointment backlogs are reduced, and admin time spent on managing cancellations in-house is decreased. There are already apps on the market looking to reduce wasted GP appointments as many people end up missing their appointment or having to cancel - ours is distinguished by the implementation of a check-in feature. If patients haven’t accessed a 1-2 hour tap-check window their appointment will be made available for same-day reassignment. This will also solve the current issue of the NHS app feature of people being reluctant to update their apps.

On the frontend, Patients get real-time alerts when earlier appointments become available and can reschedule in one tap.

On the backend continuously monitors for cancellations and newly available slots, matches them against patient preferences, and triggers notifications through the selected channels (SMS, email, or both), enabling fast acceptance of suitable earlier appointments.