NHS Lothian has granted its first contract to Infix Support, a Scottish healthtech firm. The firm was launched in 2019 by Dr Matthew Freer, a specialist anesthesiologist. It has created cloud-based software, infix: Schedule, to improve surgical operating room efficiency and address patient waiting list backlogs, as well as a virtual portal, infix: Preop, to optimize the patient pathway.
Following a successful clinical trial with NHS Lanarkshire in which Infix boosted operating room usage by 27%, the contract with NHS Lothian was awarded. An additional independent evaluation by the University of Stirling discovered that infix: Schedule, which NHS Lothian uses, has the potential to increase theatre efficiency by up to 37%.
“NHS Lothian has demonstrated an innovative strategy around the use of digital innovation to assist in addressing the challenge of longer waiting times for scheduled surgery,” Dr Matthew Freer, CEO and Founder of Infix Support, said.
With a backlog of people awaiting much-needed surgery in a post-pandemic atmosphere, the problem has never been more severe. We are now able to help alleviate one of society’s most serious illnesses while saving the NHS money and relieving strain on current resources.”
“We know that patients’ health may deteriorate if they have to wait longer for surgery,” said Calum Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Lothian.
