Digital healthcare marketplace attracts hundreds of providers

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Picture: Tender Healthcare founder and director Myles Holt

eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

An online marketplace where doctors and dentists tender to provide a patient’s healthcare has signed up 300 providers in New Zealand.

Tender Healthcare was created by Australian dentist Myles Holt, who says it allows people to take more control of their health and not be confined to one provider that may not be right for them.

Patients outline their healthcare needs, budget and willingness to travel and providers then respond to their cases outlining services, fees and expertise.

When a patient accepts a tender, their details are sent to the provider to contact them and make an appointment. Holt plans to include online booking in the future.

More than 300 providers in New Zealand – including dentists, GPs and orthopaedic, cardiothoracic and cosmetic surgeons – have signed up, along with 750 patients.

“We know health outcomes are better when patients understand their problem and options and make an informed choice,” he says.

“It’s never been more crucial that people are empowered and have these services.”

Holt says that he has seen first-hand many of the problems with traditional health service delivery for both patients and providers.

Geography restricts the catchment area for patients to whoever lives or works in the area, making it difficult for providers to find new patients and for patients to get second opinions.

After seeing the growth of online marketplaces in other areas, he decided to create Tender Healthcare, which launched in Australia in August and in New Zealand in November.

He says the site was in development for three years and issues around privacy and security of information were key to address.

It has also involved a lot of face-to-face time, explaining the site to providers to get over their “inherent wariness” about joining an online market.

Holt says he always knew things like dentistry and cosmetic work would do well, but he has been surprised by the number of people looking at different options for big-ticket items such as hip and knee surgery.

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