Its founder Angus Perry, a former locum GP, noticed that every surgery he worked at operated differently, and that onboarding information and administrative systems were often incomplete or outdated. Recognising the challenges faced by locums, he initially developed a tool to centralise and update onboarding information at his practice. Making it easy for locum doctors to access up-to-date, critical resources.

Over time, what started as a simple tool for onboarding evolved into a robust platform with AI-driven features, streamlining not only administrative tasks but also supporting clinicians in creating effective, personalised chronic disease management plans for patients with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

General Practice.AI now helps doctors create personalised treatment plans in a fraction of the time it would usually take, while also offering patients access to an app called My Lifestyle Hub, where they can engage with their health information directly.

As General Practice.AI prepared to bring their groundbreaking product to market, they were chosen to be part of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP), where they learned that without that without certifications like the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC), DCB0129, Cyber Essentials, and GDPR, they faced major roadblocks in gaining approval from health boards and practice managers and taking their product to market.

Without expertise in this area, Angus first looked at hiring specialist consultants, but was shocked by the costs, with quotes starting from £20,000 to guide him through the compliance process. For a small startup, these costs were unsustainable, but he couldn’t risk taking his product to market without ensuring its compliance with data protection and safety regulations. He needed a more affordable, efficient solution that wouldn’t derail his focus from developing his product without losing momentum.

After discovering Naq through peers at the CEP, Angus quickly realised it was the perfect solution to his compliance challenges. Naq’s platform offered an affordable, user-friendly way to manage the regulatory requirements for his startup, allowing him to break down the compliance process into manageable steps.

Angus could work through the required frameworks at his own pace, using Naq’s intuitive tools and automated document generation to speed up the process, without sacrificing valuable time or resources. By using the platform's clinical risk management tools, such as its built-in Hazard Log, Angus was able to identify and address potential risks in his app, improving its safety and effectiveness before launching to market.

"Naq demystifies the whole compliance process," Angus explained. “It breaks down what could be a really overwhelming task into manageable steps. The platform is intuitive, and the auto document generation is a game-changer."

With Naq’s user-friendly platform, he found that compliance didn’t have to be the expensive, time-consuming hurdle he initially feared. He was able to follow a clear process, and when questions arose, the Naq team were ready to offer support.

By using the Naq platform, General Practice.AI completed the majority of its compliance work, including GDPR, Cyber Essentials and DSPT, within just three months. This quick turnaround was essential for keeping product development on track while also ensuring that the platform met key regulatory requirements.

By streamlining compliance with Naq, General Practice.AI saved thousands in consultancy fees and is now on track to meet the final regulatory steps, including DTAC and DCB 0129. General Practice.AI is now in a position to approach the NHS Health Boards in Scotland and Integrated Care Boards across England, far sooner than he would have without Naq.

Looking back, Angus emphasises the importance of getting compliance right from the start: "I’m so glad I started my compliance journey early. If I had built the tool and gone to market without it, any issue like a data breach could have been a disaster."

With Naq’s ongoing support, General Practice.AI is now on the path to successful market entry, and continuing to revolutionise chronic disease management in general practice settings.