'Major step forward' as Dr Now delivers first in-flight GP appointment
Now Healthcare Group has made history by delivering a consultation from a long-haul flight using its smartphone-based video technology, with medicines delivered to the patient's hotel within hours of diagnosis.
Dr Now/Now GP connected a UK business flyer to a doctor back home while on a long-haul Emirates A380 flight from London Heathrow to Dubai.
Lee Dentith, CEO and founder of Now Healthcare Group described the consultation as a "major step forward" in the company's ambitions to make primary care accessible worldwide
Businessman Marcus Dolan [pictured in consultation with Dr La] had been suffering from a chest infection in the lead up to his trip.
Having forgotten to pack his medicines, Dolan was three hours into the seven hour flight when he realised his illness would affect his stay in Dubai.
Using the wifi connection offered to Emirates flyers, Dolan was able to access the Dr Now / Now GP mobile app provided by his employer-funded private medical insurance (PMI) policy.
Following the appointment, Now Healthcare Group used its pharmacy network to arrange for Dolan's medication to be dispensed from a Dubai-based pharmacy.
His medicines were delivered via courier and were at his hotel by the time he arrived from the airport.
Dolan said: "I've been using the app for a few months since my company signed up as a partner. When I realised I hadn't packed my medicines I thought I may as well give it a try. I didn't expect to be able to speak to Dr La but I was connected straight away. I told him about my situation and a couple of hours later had an email telling me my medicines were waiting for me at my hotel. It was such a relief as I wouldn't have had a clue where to go for medicines in Dubai."
Dentith added: "We recently conducted our first transatlantic consultation, connecting a patient in New York to his doctor back home in the UK. Now we've gone a step further by making health advice and diagnosis available to patients during flights.
"We were thrilled to hear about the successful consultation on an Emirates flight from London to Dubai - this is a major step forward for us as we look to make healthcare more available to everyone, everywhere."
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