Zable Health, a new healthcare navigation platform, has emerged as a promising solution for eye care professionals seeking to streamline patient referrals and enhance practice efficiency. Founded in 2020 by Matthew Gregory and physiotherapist Scott Gentle, Zable aims to simplify and expedite private healthcare access for Australians.
The platform allows patients and carers to search for and book appointments with suitable healthcare providers, including ophthalmologists and optometrists, based on factors such as location, telehealth options, availability, fees, and specialised expertise. A key feature enables users to upload medical referrals, addressing a significant pain point in the current referral process. For eye care professionals, Zable offers an opportunity to attract appropriate patients to their niche specialties and optimise appointment schedules. The platform aggregates and publishes useful data while maintaining patient privacy and security.
The need for such a service is evident, with recent statistics highlighting challenges in specialist care access. According to the CommBank Patient Experience Insights report, 40% of patients lack confidence in finding needed care, while 28% avoid seeing a specialist after receiving a referral.1 The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has reported that 1.91 million Australians delayed or did not attend specialist appointments following referrals.2
As out-of-pocket costs for private healthcare procedures continue to rise, Zable believes its transparency regarding fees and availability could prove invaluable for both patients and practitioners.
References
- Patient Experience Insights report 2024. Available at commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank-assets/business/foresight/2024/apr/commbank-health-patient-experience-insight-report-2024.pdf.
- aihw.gov.au/reports/medical-specialists/referred-medical-specialist-attendances
