The NHS is one of the few totally publicly-funded healthcare services in the world, and has treated millions of people since 1948. However, growing pressures from an ageing population, higher patient expectations and the after-effects of the pandemic are having a negative effect on the system’s ability to serve patients with the care they deserve.
A major factor in the NHS’s struggles is the time its staff and patients spend on administrative tasks, such as patient registration, which is what Healthtech-1 hopes to address. The company develops automation tools that it describes as the "front door" of UK healthcare. In short, it has developed a single platform where patients can instantly find the service and location that suit their needs and seamlessly book an appointment in the process. Utilising the power of AI, Healthtech-1 is building critical booking infrastructure, making healthcare accessible and simple for patients and clinicians across the UK.
The company boasts support from NHS Digital as well as Innovate UK and Y-Combinator, and is clearly targeting a valuable problem. With its patient registration product now live across 26% of NHS GP Practices, and its second product, Bookable Search, now used by over 20% of London, it's no surprise that in 2025, Sifted named it the 8th fastest-growing startup in the UK. It will be interesting to see how Healthtech-1 can further support the NHS moving forward.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle