The Government has announced a new vision for Outpatient services. NHS Online will transform the way healthcare is delivered, with the proposed radical changes intended to launch in 2027. The ‘online hospital’ will digitally connect patients to expert clinicians anywhere in England and will solidify digital-first patient pathways as the solution to reduce patient waiting times and enhance patient choice.
The vision for NHS Online has been built on tried and tested virtual innovations already in place, including Medefer’s partnership with Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT). Medefer and BHRUT Gastroenterology teams have been collaborating since 2016 on new, as well as backlog, patients. The partnership has received national recognition in light of the NHS Online launch, citing the fact that it has enabled virtual triage of 99% of referrals within 48 hours¹. The model has allowed 79% of patients to be seen virtually and 82% to be discharged without requiring a face-to-face appointment¹.
Improving outcomes in cancer care
Working with the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance, Medefer developed the Targeted Prostate Health Check (TPHC), utilising a remote-first approach to case finding to maximise impact and identify men who may have been missed for referral during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivered as an NHS England-funded catch-up programme, this work has contributed valuable real-world evidence to the ongoing assessment of a potential national prostate cancer screening programme.
The service proactively invited 66,911 men aged 50–70 (and from 45 years for Black men or those with a family history). The programme tested over 18,000 men and identified 263 cases of prostate cancer, making it one of the largest targeted catch-up programmes of its kind in the UK.
The TPHC programme utilised GP records to proactively invite high-risk men to a digital platform for education and consent, followed by a convenient PSA blood test in the community. Overseen by Medefer’s remote specialist service, the pathway ensured that patients with abnormal results were rapidly triaged and referred directly to local hospitals for further assessment.
By identifying cancer in asymptomatic patients, 84% of whom had clinically significant disease, the programme demonstrated a cost-effective, specialist-governed model delivered in the community. This approach facilitates earlier intervention to improve outcomes and strongly supports the wider strategic ambition to enhance digital access pathways, such as those offered via NHS Online.
Supporting the 10 Year Plan
Medefer’s digital-first model was referenced in the NHS Online initiative as an example of how consultant-led care can support the future direction of the NHS. Our model supports the plan’s ambitions through:
Earlier intervention: Quicker access to diagnostics and consultant input to prevent deterioration and unnecessary delays.
Maximising existing capacity: Unlocking national consultant time to focus local clinical resources on complex, high-value care.
Digitally enabled delivery: Virtual clinics and local diagnostic coordination that reduce travel and keep care close to home.
Joined-up working: Seamless navigation and transparent reporting that connects GPs, providers, and community teams.
Proactive, personalised care: Intelligent triage ensuring advice and follow-up tailored to the individual.
Equitable access: Delivering specialist expertise to underserved populations to reduce geographical barriers and health inequalities.
At Medefer, our mission is simple: to help people get better, faster.
About Medefer
Medefer is a multi-award-winning provider of patient choice services, delivering consultant-led elective care across 18 specialties. We form deep partnerships with NHS providers to transform outpatient services and significantly reduce waiting times.
Medefer takes full responsibility for patient pathways, from new referrals to backlog recovery, including national RTT reporting. Using our advanced digital platform, our national consultant network works remotely and flexibly review and manage patients 24/7. By coordinating care through local NHS and independent diagnostic partners, our collaborative model releases capacity for hospital teams. This allows Trust consultants to focus on complex face-to-face care and service innovation.
References
²Targeted Prostate Health Check Programme Evaluation Report
