With the NHS struggling to keep up with demand, increasing numbers of UK residents are seeking private alternatives to get faster access to treatment — particularly when it comes to prescriptions.
This growing reliance on private healthcare has seen a sharp rise in the use of digital platforms that simplify how patients obtain their medication.
The Appeal of Speed and Simplicity
NHS services continue to face intense pressure, with waiting lists in England exceeding 7.7 million patients by the end of 2023. Unsurprisingly, more people are opting for private care not just for surgical procedures, but for day-to-day healthcare services — including prescription needs.
That shift is fuelling interest in faster, more efficient medication delivery. Patients are seeking alternatives to the delays of traditional post or in-person pharmacy queues.
Digital Solutions Filling the Gap
e-prescription platforms are proving particularly popular.
These platforms enable doctors to issue private prescriptions electronically, allowing medicines to be delivered straight to a patient’s home — with no need to leave the sofa.
One of the most prominent players is Healistic, which brings together clinics, pharmacies, and couriers to ensure prescription medications arrive at patients’ doors in as little as two hours.
Its founder, Daniel Bulkin, explains the need for innovation:
“People can get food, dinner or a cab in minutes. So why are we still waiting days for medication?”
Healistic’s Approach to Modern Healthcare
Designed for ease of use, Healistic allows clinicians to issue digital prescriptions within seconds. Patients can manage everything online, while local pharmacies prepare the orders and couriers handle delivery — often within the hour.
Clinics can use the service at no cost, and hundreds have already adopted the platform across the UK. The convenience has proven valuable not only for patients, but also for practice teams looking to reduce administrative tasks and streamline operations.
Uniquely, Healistic supports controlled drugs — including those covered by Schedules 2 to 5 — which many other platforms are unable to offer due to regulatory limitations.
Rapid Market Growth
The UK’s private healthcare sector reached £12.4 billion in 2023, a notable rise from £11.4 billion in 2022. Private prescriptions are playing a significant role in that growth.
Meanwhile, the pharmacy market is forecast to grow steadily, with expectations it will exceed £58 billion by 2030 — much of that driven by tech-powered services.
As more patients adapt to digital healthcare management, platforms like Healistic are positioned to see ongoing demand.
Beyond Prescriptions: A Broader Digital Vision
Healistic’s ambitions go beyond medication delivery. The company is developing a broader digital infrastructure — a “digital patient home” that enables users and providers to oversee multiple aspects of care through a single secure interface.
Founder Daniel Bulkin calls it “Open Healthcare”, a concept based on the Open Banking model. Just as that gave consumers more control over their finances, Healistic aims to give people full command of their healthcare experience — cutting out red tape and delays.
Tech-Driven Care That’s Changing the Norm
With patients, clinicians, and pharmacies all seeing the benefits of e-prescriptions, it’s clear that digital-first care is becoming the new standard.
As private health services expand and technology continues to evolve, platforms like Healistic are not just keeping pace — they’re helping lead the transformation.
Find out more or explore partnership opportunities at: https://healistic.net
