Health-Connect, a digital platform for operational and clinical management within healthcare, has appointed Richard McKenzie as chairman.

His primary focus will be raising investment, ensuring transparency within the company’s financial reports, and leading on operations, sales and marketing to private operators and the NHS.

McKenzie has also been appointed interim chairman of Mindplus, an Indian-based healthcare operator and Health-Connect partner.

McKenzie has more than 32 years’ experience in the healthcare sector. He was previously chief executive of neurorehabilitation specialist Christchurch Group.

McKenzie said: “Having worked in the healthcare sector for more than three decades, I’m all too aware that it is dominated by antiquated paper-based procedures or digital systems which do not communicate effectively with one another which hinder healthcare professionals from providing the best care possible, and organisations from quickly managing operations and highlighting failures. I’m extremely excited to be heading up Health-Connect, a company that will be instrumental in driving change and implementing a revolutionary shift in the health and wellbeing field.

“Health-Connect will provide hospitals, clinics, medical practices, nursing homes, health agencies, hospice organisations and other healthcare facilities, who currently face numerous challenges delivering joined-up services to patients, with a centralised AI-driven cloud-based solution that employs blockchain technology, an advanced database mechanism that allows transparent information sharing within a business network. Systems and services to be effectively ‘joined up’ include emails, rota management, electronic patient records, data analysis, governance management and general operational systems. AI-generated alerts for medical professionals regarding patient care plans that need reviewing will lead to improved compliance. Voice-to-text completion of patient notes and care plans will free up nurses to do what they do best – spending more time with patients and providing quality personal care.

“In the future Health-Connect will also enable doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and many others who work in the healthcare industry to transition to a completely virtual practice, providing them with all the tools they need to deliver high-quality care.

“We also knew that true transformation could only be achieved by empowering patients, so we will be creating a platform that will give patients quick and easy access to their records, enabling them to take charge of their healthcare journey. Patients could also financially benefit from their data, encouraging them to be more involved in their treatment and promoting collaborative care.

“Health-Connect’s solution promises to not only transform the way healthcare organisations and professionals work but to also empower patients to take control of their health and wellbeing. Ours is a story of digital transformation, empowerment, and better healthcare outcomes for all.”

Health-Connect’s co-founder and chief compliance officer Khawaja Shazia said: “Richard is an individual of proven integrity, who employs role model values-based leadership to command the confidence and trust of all stakeholders. He has a clear understanding of our core values and culture, and possesses significant business acumen. I’m confident that Richard together with our strong leadership team will play a central role in accelerating the adoption of Health-Connect, and positively shape the future of healthcare on a global scale.”