Staff at MediaCity海角视频-based health tech firm Now Healthcare Group have been left ‘stunned’ after the company said it was shutting its doors.
CEO and founder Lee Dentith told staff vie email that the business was closing.
One member of staff said the news "had come as a shock."
This comes only weeks after Now Healthcare, which has around 30 staff based across Salford and Liverpool, reported a massive surge in uptake of its services as the 海角视频 battled with COVID-19.
Its healthcare platforms include Now Patient, which allows NHS patients to order repeat prescriptions to be delivered to their homes.
Mr Dentith said in March the coronavirus outbreak had led to a 500 per cent increase in online medication ordering largely driven by the over-60s, who turned to the app as an alternative to visiting their local pharmacy.
The prescription firm established by Mr Dentith was set up with the aim to help people living with chronic care conditions manage needs through technology.
The group also said there had been a “huge increase” in the use of its digital GP platform Now GP, which allows patients to have a mobile consultation.
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The group’s digital pharmacy Now Pharmacy is based in Liverpool and launched two years ago.
Speaking about the business in March, Mr Dentith said: “This is a very concerning time for so many people, especially those living with underlying health conditions and now is the time that people can start to understand the huge benefit of technology and put their trust first-hand in using app-based services like Now Patient.
“Many of our patients must go into a period of social-distancing so heading out to their local pharmacy to collect the numerous medications is not an option – particularly when the pharmacies can be a breeding ground for germs.”
The firm's closure comes after a report by the Care Quality Commission into its Now GP business declared it "required improvement."
The practice was first visited on October 8, 2019 and rated “as inadequate.”
A further two inspections took place on 28 February 2020 and 2 March 2020.
The report said while some improvements were made in providing safe services further improvements were still needed.
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It said: “In particular the provider had removed some high-risk medicines from the formulary, but we still found examples of poor prescribing and relevant blood checks not being undertaken before issuing certain medicines.
“After the inspection the provider informed us that a further 355 medicines had been removed from the formulary.”
The CQC said it planned to make another inspection in six months.
Mr Denith has been approached for a comment.