Health communications tool announces rebrand

Healthcare communications tool Forward Health has unveiled a company rebrand with the platform now called Pando Health.

The was tool launched by NHS doctors, and has received new investor backing from Skip Capital as it accelerates plans for international launch. 

The company provides over 25,000 professionals in 200 NHS hospitals with tools to communicate around patient care.

Pando welcomes Skip Capital as an investor for this next phase of growth. Skip Capital is a billion dollar fund led by Kim Jackson and the co-founder and co-CEO of Atlassian, Scott Farquhar. Skip Capital invests in technology enabled businesses who are solving global problems. Pando is the first European healthtech investment for the fund.

Skip Capital joins existing investors Stride.VC and Albion Capital in a $5 million raise designed to accelerate Pando’s international expansion. 

Co-CEO and co-founder Philip Mundy said: “Skip Capital are a phenomenal partner, and we’re thrilled to have their backing and the continued support of Stride.VC as we push ahead with our growth plans. Skip understands not only what we’re building, but also why it’s so important. With this support, we have the resources to take our network to scale, while cementing our position within UK healthcare.”

The funds will support a headcount expansion to 35 and scale Pando’s reach outside of the UK. International demand for the service has increased sharply over recent months, with a waiting list that now numbers thousands of departments and professionals. In Q1 2020, Pando Health will become available to healthcare teams throughout India, Canada, and Australia, with more markets to follow.

According to a study conducted across several Trusts, 74% of NHS staff who use Pando reported that it improved their workplace satisfaction and 68% said that it enabled them to deliver better patient care.

Kim Jackson, from Skip Capital, said: “Pando Health combines everything we look for in a company; passionate founders solving a fundamental, global problem with a positive impact. From our first meeting, I could tell the team was fiercely committed to making a difference, and we are excited to join the journey. Their success across the NHS shows how overdue a revolution in health and social care communication truly is and we’re looking forward to supporting them as they scale their impact internationally.”

Pando Health is a critical component in the provision of excellent patient care and has already transformed how thousands of teams throughout the UK health system communicate. The company plans to widen access to the platform by providing more immediate ways to access expert clinical knowledge for both healthcare professionals and patients. Its vision is to transform the way healthcare expertise is shared and accessed, giving everyone the best specialist healthcare experience whenever and wherever they need it. 

Co-CEO and co-founder Dr Barney Gilbert said: “We started our journey as Forward because it perfectly encapsulated what we set out to do: to create tools to help ward-based NHS clinicians struggling with outdated technology.  

“As we’ve grown over the past three years, our community of over 25,000 clinicians have shown us the true impact better communication can have within, between and outside the ward. The platform is now used by healthcare professionals and others far beyond the walls of the hospital, and we’re seeing demand from global healthcare systems increasing by the day. Forward was perfect for the start of our journey, but as we look ahead and scale internationally we need a unique name that reflects our broader ambition. We chose Pando, the name of the world’s largest living organism.”