Industry News
Bupa Unveils Vision for Connected Healthcare Future
Bupa, the international healthcare company, has unveiled its ambitious strategy for the future of healthcare, focusing on a more connected and personalized approach across physical and digital channels.
The "Connected Care" strategy aims to address the fragmentation that many customers experience when navigating the healthcare system. Bupa plans to bring together in-person and virtual care, supported by digital technology and strategic partnerships.
"We know one of the biggest pain points for customers going through the healthcare system is how fragmented it is. That's why we're working to connect care physically and digitally to remove barriers and increase affordability and convenience," said Nick Stone, Bupa APAC CEO.
As part of this multi-year investment, Bupa is initially focused on acquiring healthcare centers that will offer integrated GP, allied health, and pathology services. These centers will be open to the wider community, not just Bupa Health Insurance customers.
Over the coming years, Bupa intends to expand its network of healthcare centers, building on its existing 178 dental clinics and 49 optical and hearing stores across Australia.
In addition to the physical healthcare centers, Bupa is introducing a range of digital initiatives through its Blua digital health platform. These include a door-to-door chemist delivery service, 24/7 virtual doctor consultations, and online health tools and information to help customers manage their healthcare.
"In the long-term, our aim by bringing services together physically and digitally is to deliver simple, person-centred care – the 'right care' in the 'right place' at the 'right time'. We want to be a true partner in our customer's healthcare," Mr. Stone said.
Bupa's Connected Care strategy is a response to customer feedback and industry data, which suggest that accessing healthcare can be complicated, with barriers such as wait times, limited appointments, and costs.
The company is consulting with governments, medical professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure its Connected Care strategy meets the needs of a growing and aging population while supporting the Australian healthcare system.
By integrating physical and digital healthcare services, Bupa aims to provide a more seamless and personalised experience for its customers, empowering them to take a more active role in managing their own health and wellbeing.
