“Private healthcare in London and the South East? It’s buzzing,” says Kingsley Hollis, Head of Business Development ePractice. “Whether you’re a cosmetic surgeon, fertility specialist, dermatologist or cardiologist, you know the drill – high demand, high expectations and even higher competition.” In this blog, Kingsley gets real about the challenges facing private practitioners across the region and explores why practice management software (PMS) is the secret weapon for staying ahead in this ultra-competitive market.
Private healthcare in London and the South East: challenges and opportunities
From London’s Harley Street to towns and cities in Surrey, Berkshire, Kent and Essex, practitioners operate in highly competitive healthcare spaces where they must balance patient expectations, operational efficiency and the ever-growing demand for quality care.
- Fierce competition in London and the South East
This region boasts thriving private medical markets, particularly in specialties like cosmetic surgery, dermatology and fertility care. And demand is only growing – according to LaingBuisson, self-pay healthcare continues to see strong growth, driven by rising NHS wait times and patients seeking faster access to specialist care. - The challenge of patient retention
Patients across the region have plenty of choices, so delivering top-tier service is essential for building loyalty. Private healthcare professionals need to ensure every aspect of their practice – from booking appointments to fulfilling prescriptions – is seamless, efficient and patient-focused.
Research from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) reveals that 67% of people in the UK would consider using private healthcare, and 34% plan to self-pay for treatment. This underlines the importance of offering an outstanding patient experience to maintain long-term patient loyalty.
With high competition and rising operational costs, private healthcare professionals must optimise their workflow to stay profitable and provide seamless patient experiences. A PMS automates time-consuming tasks, letting practitioners focus on delivering quality care. - Managing rising operational costs
Running a private practice in this part of the UK comes with rising overheads — from rent and staffing to administrative costs. Without a streamlined PMS, these expenses can quickly eat into profitability.
Why do private healthcare professionals in and around London need practice management software?
Managing a private practice isn’t just about providing top-notch healthcare – it’s also about keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. To stand out, practices must combine exceptional patient care with streamlined operations.
PMS helps practitioners automate time-consuming tasks, reduce admin stress, stay compliant and improve patient experience, all while keeping the business side of things in check. A well-chosen PMS offers several benefits:
- Saving time: automation of time-consuming tasks like scheduling, invoicing and reporting
- Boosted cash flow: efficient payment collection and accurate financial tracking can improve your practice’s financial health
- Enhanced patient experience: by reducing admin delays and simplifying processes, PMS helps create a smoother experience for your patients
- Data security: secure PMS ensures that sensitive patient info remains protected
A comprehensive PMS can be the difference between a practice that struggles with admin overload and one that thrives with a seamless workflow. And when it comes to finding the right PMS, ePractice offers a powerful, all-in-one solution tailored for private healthcare professionals.
ePractice, a 360° solution giving you more time to focus on your patients
ePractice is a trusted PMS that transforms the way private healthcare professionals run their practices, clinics, and hospitals. Used by thousands of practitioners, it streamlines patient management, invoicing and other key tasks – reducing admin time and boosting productivity.
Driven by Hi (Healthcode Intelligence), our expert team is constantly enhancing ePractice to ensure it remains a comprehensive solution for private practice management – both now and for years to come. With our focus on stability, security and long-term reliability, you can enhance and grow your practice with confidence and focus your time with your patients where it matters.
But don’t just take our word for it – see what our customers say
Managing a busy private practice doesn’t have to be complicated. Just ask Ana Coleman, Practice Manager at Oxford Musculoskeletal Radiology (OMR), who has found ePractice Lite to be a game-changer for her clinic.
Ana initially started using ePractice Basic but soon upgraded to Lite to unlock additional features – like the ability to view insurer remittances and manage bulk payments. “You get a lot for your monthly subscription,” Ana shares, praising ePractice for streamlining admin tasks, improving workflow and saving valuable time.”
For Dr. Bav Shergill, Chief Medical Officer at MySkinDoctor, ePractice’s free Prescribing has been transformative, allowing him to prescribe meds with greater confidence, speed, and accuracy. “ePractice’s new ePrescribing has truly transformed my workflow,” says Dr. Shergill, “making prescribing safer, faster and more efficient – allowing me to focus more on patient care.”
With ePractice Prescribing, meds are automatically checked for availability, eliminating prescription refusals, a major issue he faced with his previous provider. “No more switching between systems – I can now write prescriptions directly within ePractice, saving time and reducing hassle.”
Want to take a tour of ePractice? Let’s set up a demo call
Get in touch for a demo and find out how ePractice can help your practice run more smoothly.
