The importance of digital health services has increased exponentially the start of the pandemic with more and more people depending on technology to find the help and support they need.
Perci Health is the first digital platform offering people affected by cancer affordable online support by multiple professionals in one accessible location, available within 1-2 days of booking. Their caring community of NHS-trained professionals are focused on recovery and rehabilitation from a physical, emotional and social perspective, and include dieticians, nurses, cancer coaches, physiotherapists, yoga instructors and many more. We spoke to the team to find out more.
Tell us about your organisation?
The idea for Perci Health came after one of our founders had seen first hand how isolated people affected by cancer can feel once their treatment is complete, and how difficult it can be for them to find effective and safe support. We set out to solve these problems using technology. A very similar vision to Cancer Care Map!
We officially launched in July 2021 with financial backing from the UKs leading oncologists and cancer surgeons. We now have 10 full time employees and are operating in the UK only.
What services do you offer people living with cancer?
We believe no treatable side effect should go untreated. We’re an online platform giving access to multidisciplinary cancer teams focused on recovery from a whole-person perspective. Each Perci Professional has a minimum of 3-years cancer experience across fields such as psychology, menopause advice, psychosexual therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, hypnotherapy and our list of services is growing continuously.
We are on-demand with decreased waiting times and our care is affordable, high-quality and available in one accessible location.
The support delivered through Perci Health is designed to be complementary to the in-person cancer care team. We are plugging the gaps in current service offerings, providing safe access and choice to treatments that are not easily accessible. We ensure continuity of care by providing clients with full access to their Perci Health records, making it easy for them to share these with their GP, oncologist or cancer nurse.
Do you have a target demographic who use your services?
We can cater to anyone 18 years and older who is living with or beyond cancer, or their friends, family and carers who need support too. Our current clients range from 31 – 81 years old, and are a mixture of people identifying as male and female.
Our services are non-discriminative, with all cancer types, ethnicities and sexes catered for equally.
How are you funded?
We have a self-pay system. As a digital platform our costs are lower so our clients will find our services cost less than private alternatives. Our prices start from as little as £30 per session.
Despite our efforts to keep costs down, we do know that not everyone will be able to afford to pay for these services and are working to increase access to this vital support through partnerships with employers who are looking for ways to better support their employees affected by cancer.
We are funded by influential oncologists and cancer surgeons from major cancer centres across the UK who see a great need for this type of service.
How have things changed for you since COVID-19?
We created Perci Health during the pandemic, so it hasn’t impacted our ways of working. However, COVID-19 has led to the rapid digitisation of services, with online consultations now the norm which helps us as a digital platform.
We’ve also seen that COVID-19 has increased the adoption of self-funded medical care. The suspension of all but very urgent NHS elective treatment coupled with higher wait times has led to a surge in enquiries.
We see ourselves as part of a wide network of organisations trying to solve the issues facing the growing population of people affected by cancer. Working in partnership with the NHS, private healthcare providers and charities.
What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?
We are a small team with a very big mission and there is nothing more rewarding than knowing we are making a real difference. We love hearing client feedback, it is definitely the most rewarding part of the job.
But we also love the culture of the business we are building. It is important to us that empathy is at the core of everything we do, and that our incredible team and our healthcare specialists feel that every time they work with us.
What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?
We have purposely cultivated a safe space where people can get answers to their questions. All you have to do is go onto www.percihealth.com and take a look at what we provide. We have free content which is produced by our healthcare professionals and you can also book an initial chat with our team if you are still unsure about how we can help.
There is no obligation to sign up to anything and no membership fee. Clients pay-as-they-go and we are always transparent about our costs.
Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services?
“A highly professional service at a time and circumstance when you most need it. The most brilliant fact is the ability to access it from your own home.” – Corina
“After sessions with two very helpful Perci Health Professionals, I feel less alone knowing that they have taken the time to get to know me. I’m clear about my next steps, feel a little more in control and able to start looking forward.” – Denise
“Support from Perci Health complemented NHS provision, helping me deal with the wider impact of cancer on my life.” – Steve
“I’d highly rate the services provided by Perci Health. All the practitioners really care about your individual experience and go out of their way to listen and provide you with the best support they can.” – Deb
Who works for you?
What are the values of your organisation?
Our mission is to create the world’s most effective cancer support platform to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals, their families and society as a whole.
Our company values are;
And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words?
Caring, Expert, Support.
Having those difficult conversations with family, friends and your workplace is never easy, but there are many support organisations across the UK to help you. For Dying Matters Awareness Week, we’re taking a look at some of the support available to those in the UK.
Around 2,400 men in the UK are diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite being relatively rare and only accounting for 1% of all male cancers, it is most likely to affect men under 49. As we come to the end of Testicular Cancer Awareness month, we shine a light at a few of the support services and organisations dedicated to testicular cancer.
© 2020 Cancer Care Map ®