A local software and web technology company has praised a Keele University business support programme for unlocking access to market research vital for development of their online patient information service.

Health2Works, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, approached the Business Bridge* programme for assistance towards their new Recap Health service – an innovative and easy-to-use cloud-based application developed in partnership with the NHS.  The platform allows clinicians to efficiently send relevant and timely digital content, such as videos, leaflets, websites and apps, directly to selected patients.  As a result, patients become better informed and better able to manage their own health effectively, reducing the demand and burden on NHS services.

Whilst initial development of the service was progressing well, Health2Works knew that professional market research was needed to help Recap reach its full potential.  That’s where the Business Bridge programme stepped in.  Funded by one of its Innovation Vouchers, the programme introduced Health2Works to Stafford-based Accelerate Associates, a market research company specialising in healthcare marketing.

“It was immediately very clear to me that Accelerate was going to be great for us,” said Steve Pashley, Health2Works Managing Director.  “In only a few weeks they were able to produce a fantastic report about the market potential for Recap, containing a lot of detailed information that will certainly help us to drive the service forward.  In addition to delivering the intelligence we needed, they were also able to connect us to a number of NHS organisations who were interested in the product.

“Business Bridge has been a great service for us.  From the beginning, decisions were made quickly and paperwork was ‘light touch’ – just what a busy small business needs.  Thanks to the programme we’ve been able to get the right information to develop our business at the right time.  The whole process has been a great example of how a local University can make a positive impact on how local businesses develop and grow.”

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent businesses can benefit from a range of specialist support and funding, more details of which are available through Keele University’s Business Gateway - 01782 733001 / business.gateway@keele.ac.uk.

‌*The Business Bridge project (ref: 32R16P00713) is part-funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds England Growth Programme 2014-2020.