New subscription health service at Ridgeway Hospital

Doctors at Wroughton's Ridgeway Hospital say that for the cost of a coffee subscription or streaming service, anyone can sign up to for a fee and access unlimited consultant and GP appointments, tests, checks and scans. 

In a move described as shaking up the traditional private medical insurance model that has dominated private healthcare for the last 80 years, patients will be able to access services within 48 hours though a system called MyWay.   

Mr Paul Manning, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, said: "From £19.99 a month patients will be able to get fast access to doctors, tests and scans. We have brought together almost every part of the treatment process into one easy to use app."  

Traditionally, patients either opt for private medical cover or pay for their own treatment. But the new model, pioneered by Circle consultants like Mr Manning alongside staff at The Ridgeway Hospital offers a third way through a monthly subscription.   

Should a user discover that surgery is the best option for them, membership of MyWay also offers discounts to hospital treatment and physiotherapy at The Ridgeway Hospital.   

Mr Paul Manning said: "Think of the MyWay club like an insurance policy you have complete control over. For a small fee each month, you are guaranteed to get access to specialist care. 

"We know that patients are becoming increasingly worried about waiting. With MyWay you don’t have to worry because whatever you need is ready and waiting to be accessed."

The MyWay service was developed in response to growing demand for high-quality occupational health services that help get people back to work and prevent needless worry/time off work. 

The hospital says economic uncertainty means that businesses cannot afford to lose staff to illnesses that could easily be managed or treated using MyWay.   

The latest ONS figures show that economic inactivity due to long-term sickness has surged to a record-breaking 2.5m people, up by half a million since the pandemic. There are 7.42m people currently waiting for treatment across the UK. 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Peter James said: "The longer a patient waits the greater the treatment challenge becomes. 

"Take a joint replacement for example, the lack of exercise leads to a reduction in stamina and ultimately a general decline in the patient’s health.

"By the time the patient is seen by the surgeon the surgical intervention needed is far more substantial and lengthens not only the recovery time but the length of time the patient is out of the workforce. It doesn’t have to be this way."  

The monthly fee is designed to provide accessible healthcare as the cost of living rises. The sign-up process takes less than 60 seconds and within 30 days the person can access the whole package of services available. 

As an introductory offer, Circle Health Group, the hospital’s owner, has announced that anyone who signs up to MyWay before 31 August will be eligible for a full membership refund if they are unhappy with the service after three months.   

Circle Health Group CEO Paolo Pieri: "For little more than the monthly cost of Netflix or Prime, our revolutionary health subscription service promises the peace of mind that you can see a specialist or get a scan rapidly if the need arises.    

"With long-term illness rates at record highs - for every 13 workers one person is long-term sick - the UK has a massive ‘sick-force’ problem, and we desperately need new healthcare solutions to tackle this productivity problem and turn round the economy.  

"Subscription services have transformed many other parts of our lives, so one that guarantees speed, control and consumer power in the area that matters most to all of us - our health - is a no-brainer."  

Further information can be found at https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/myway?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnrmlBhDHARIsADJ5b_k4bXGsU4Ox5_ctEZKG0eC0HfXWR9m41R82aFvF9ZuQwuB1UDOGI80aAn33EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds