How Cera’s Tech-Driven Home Healthcare is Easing the NHS Burden
Public healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, compounded by aging populations in Western countries. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) frequently finds itself labeled as being “in crisis.” In this challenging environment, private companies, especially those leveraging technology, have identified significant opportunities. One such company, Cera, an in-home healthcare provider in the UK, recently raised $150 million through a combination of debt and equity to expand its operations.
Leading the funding round were funds associated with BDT & MSD Partners and Schroders Capital. Cera is keen on scaling its operations using its AI-driven proprietary software platform. The platform integrates advanced models developed from its own data and utilizes technologies from Google’s Gemini AI and Microsoft’s ChatGPT. This initiative follows a $320 million funding round in 2022, shared equally between equity and debt.
“We are getting to profitability, plus we have very significant scale in how we’re using our technology and AI,” said Dr. Ben Maruthappu MBE, Founder & CEO of Cera. “We’ve expanded into more services in the home.”
{TechCrunch Interview}
Cera’s app empowers caregivers to efficiently manage their tasks by logging patient symptoms and planning their work schedules. The AI models then analyze this data to predict potential health risks, significantly reducing hospitalizations by up to 70% and patient falls by 20%. These impressive outcomes underscore the transformational potential of integrating AI in healthcare.
- Reduction in hospitalization rates by up to 70%
- Reduction in patient falls by 20%
- Faster hospital discharges — five times quicker
With over $407 million raised so far, Cera is establishing itself as a major player against competitors like Home Instead and Bluebird Care in the UK and Signify Health and CVS Health in the US. Their comprehensive offerings now include nursing services, physiotherapy, and mental health services at home.
“The other key advantage is what we’re doing with technology, more specifically AI,” Maruthappu explains. “We can predict over 80% of falls a week before they happen… reducing hospitalizations by up to 70%.”
{TechCrunch Interview}
Cera is currently the largest non-NHS healthcare provider in the UK, serving about 30 million people with a workforce of 10,000 carers and nurses across over 150 local governments. An analysis by U.K. consultancy Faculty indicates Cera’s model saves the U.K. healthcare system £1 million daily.
“Cera has achieved strong growth through a demonstrated ability to leverage technology to deliver exceptional care,” noted Rob Platek from BDT & MSD.
{Company Statement}
Cera’s innovative approach sets it apart from troubled startups like Babylon Health, which struggled due to reliance on simplistic chatbot technology. Instead, Cera’s robust data-driven strategy positions it well for sustainable growth while alleviating pressure on public healthcare systems like the NHS.
