Babylon and Bupa extend partnership for digital health services

Babylon and Bupa have announced they are extending their existing partnership agreement for a further three years and will mean the digital health company will extend the services it provides.

The two companies have been partnered since 2015, when Babylon’s digital services were incorporated into the Bupa offering via an app for its customers. The app included products designed to help users better understand their health symptoms, access up-to-date information and learn more about their current and future health risks.

With this extended partnership, all 2.3 million UK Bupa customers will have access to Babylon’s Symptom Checker, My Health and a 24/7 virtual consultation service.

James Sherwood, general manager for operations and healthcare management at Bupa UK Insurance said: “Having fast access to GP care is increasingly important for our customers to support their everyday health and wellbeing. We’ve seen growing use of the service over the past two years, with around 8,000 appointments a week. We’re pleased to continue working with Babylon to enhance our digital services for our customers.”

In May this year, Parsa revealed that Babylon was being cautious with its UK expansion as it loses money on “every member that comes in”. Then in August 2022, two NHS trusts ended their partnerships with the company, with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust citing economical reasons for the early ending of a 10-year agreement.

Dr Ali Parsa, founder and CEO, Babylon, said: “We are delighted that Bupa continues to put its trust in Babylon as its partner. We look forward to going further together to reimagine their customers’ experience of healthcare from a reactive, episodic clinic-centric service for when they are sick or in crisis to a more proactive, continuous and person-centric service designed to keep their customers at the peak of their health.”