January 14, 2025

UK’s Remote Patient Monitoring Programs should be 20x bigger

Remote Patient Monitoring can cut UK healthcare costs by 40%. Doccla expands access with a gain-share model, keeping patients healthier and at home.

Table of contents

Introduction

The UK has one of the most successful roll-outs of Remote Patient Monitoring in the world, with thousands of patients discharged early to “Virtual Wards” every day.

However, the true potential of Remote Monitoring technology lies in preventive and proactive care, where hundreds of thousands of patients across the country could have their healthcare better managed if clinicians had access to near real-time data on patients’ conditions, saving an estimated 20-40% of Total Healthcare Costs for these patients.

The average cost of an emergency admission for the sort of “high-risk” patient that should be provided with a Remote Monitoring service is around £5,000. As medical diagnostic devices continue to improve in quality and fall in price, that pays for an awful lot of monitoring. The rise of clinical decision support tooling for Remote Monitoring and Voice Agents will, someday soon, take another chunk out of the cost base.  

Access to funding has held health systems back from getting started with projects this ambitious. In a world of tight budgets, it’s hard to justify funding innovative new care models when this might mean closing down other services.

This is why, for those struggling to find the money, we are happy to work on a gain-share basis, where we are only paid from the savings we generate by helping to keep patients where they are happiest - at home.

Please drop me a line for more information on hello@doccla.com.

Why Remote Patient Monitoring Matters

According to recent estimates, proactive RPM saves between 20–40% of total healthcare costs, making it one of the most powerful interventions for both healthcare systems and patients alike. By continuously monitoring patients in their own homes, clinicians gain immediate visibility into critical health metrics, helping them spot early warning signs and intervene promptly. The result? Fewer emergency visits, fewer hospital readmissions, and a vastly better overall patient experience.

However, cost-savings are just one piece of the puzzle. RPM can also transform care quality and equity, reaching vulnerable communities who typically struggle to access consistent healthcare support and to make in-person trips to care providers.

Doccla patient receives their kit (The Doccla Box) equipped with all the required devices and instructions

Serving the Most Vulnerable Patients

The most deprived patients are also the patients who most benefit from Remote Patient Monitoring services: diseases like COPD and Heart Failure are diseases of deprivation. That’s why for proactive care programs we onboard 2x the proportion of patients in the most deprived IMD decile. 

We also provide comprehensive translation services, so no patient is excluded because of difficulties with language. 

Expanding to Onboard Thousands More

Given our commitment to improving health outcomes for all, we are excited to announce our plan to onboard thousands of patients at high risk of hospital admission. Through expanded partnerships with healthcare providers, we will work closely with care teams to:

  1. Identify High-Risk Patients: Using data analytics and clinical insights, we pinpoint the patients who could benefit the most from remote patient monitoring.
  2. Deploy User-Friendly Technology: Doccla’s platform and devices are intuitive for both patients and clinicians, regardless of digital literacy or clinical complexity.
  3. Offer Proactive Support: Our dedicated team and automated alerts allow clinicians to act swiftly when patients show signs of deterioration—often preventing expensive and stressful hospital stays.
  4. Foster Continuous Engagement: Through regular virtual check-ins and timely health education, we empower patients to take an active role in managing their own health.

A Patient-Centered Approach—with Incredible Patient Satisfaction

Implementing innovative technology is only impactful if patients embrace and benefit from it. We are proud that 95%+ of patients rate our service as ‘good’ or ‘very good.’ This high satisfaction score is a testament to our user-friendly interface, ongoing clinical support, and effective care pathways. Our approach alleviates stress for both patients and their families, providing reassurance that help is always at hand.

A patient in Doccla’s virtual ward taking their vital readings

A Gain-Share Model for Healthcare Systems

At Doccla, we recognise the financial pressures facing healthcare organisations today. That is why we are happy to work on a gain-share approach, meaning we align our success with yours. Rather than requiring significant upfront investment, our model ensures that healthcare systems can benefit from the cost savings of RPM—without having to spend out of pocket first. By collaborating with healthcare payers, we ensure that the savings generated from fewer hospital admissions and reduced length of stay are reinvested to expand or sustain these vital RPM programs.

This gain-share framework also enables healthcare systems to pilot or scale our service in a cost-effective way, providing peace of mind that they are making a wise and financially sustainable decision.

Looking Ahead

As we roll out our plan to onboard thousands more high-risk patients, we remain grounded in our core mission: leveraging the power of Remote Patient Monitoring to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and equitable for all.

If you’re interested in learning more about our expansion or exploring a gain-share collaboration, I encourage you to reach out. Let’s work together to transform healthcare delivery, keep patients out of the hospital, and ensure they receive the care and attention they need—in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Authors

Tom Breeze, Chief Commercial Officer at Doccla

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