Accelerator programme welcomes first LGBTIQ+ supportive company

An accelerator programme for digital health companies which are dedicated to meeting London’s NHS and social care challenges, has welcomed a company which aims to support the LGBTIQ+ community.

In June 2021, Brett Hatfield, an NHS Navigator for DigitalHealth.London, penned a piece for Digital Health on the term QueerTech and why technology needs to be inclusive for all.

Almost eight months on, Hatfield told Digital Health News he received “a lot of great interest from different parts of the NHS, wanting to learn more about QueerTech and delivering inclusive technology”.

One person who did reach out was Christopher El Badaoui, the CEO and co-founder of LVNDR Health, which is building a healthcare platform for sexual health focussed on supporting the needs of LGBTIQ+ patients and other vulnerable groups.

“When I read Brett’s article, which a few of my investors had sent over to me, it was the first piece of content I came across that addressed the massive health inequalities the LGBTQ+ community faces and how technology was going to be a driving force in creating change. I got super excited and reached out,” they said.

Around the same time, LVNDR was looking to apply for DigitalHealth.London’s Accelerator programme in a bid to learn more about the NHS market, and the company is now part of cohort six.

While LVNDR is currently focused on sexual health and helping the LGBTIQ+ community access such services, El Badaoui hopes being on the programme will provide a chance to expand the company’s offerings as it looks to try and modernise existing clinical services.

“Public Health has made strides in responding to LGBTQ+ issues particularly around increasing access to HIV prevention and care services with an enhanced focus on addressing disparities and health inequities,” they said.

“LVNDR is excited to be part of the NHS Digital Health London programme to further reinforce a focus on the needs of queer and trans individuals.

“We aim to align with strategic partners and support the NHS in tackling it’s most pressing issues that the LGBTQ+ community faces by innovating in digital health.

“Digital Health London will be key for our upcoming launch this summer and I’m excited to see what’s next.”

From DigitalHealth.London’s side, they will be supporting LVNDR through a series of interactive workshops focussing on a range of NHS topics.

“We are also here to be that honest broker between LVNDR and the NHS to support market entry and find where LVNDR’s innovative solution meets the needs of local NHS organisations” Hatfield said.

“As their navigator, I will also be working with LVNDR one-to-one to help them navigate the complexities of the NHS.”

Hatfield added that he was pleased LVNDR had joined the Accelerator programme and said he hoped it would inspire other companies to think about how they can support the LGBTIQ+ community in the digital health space.

“For me, QueerTech is on the rise and its long overdue, and I really want to see LVNDR’s work being democratised and globalised,” Hatfield said.

He added: “In the digital health space I feel like we don’t talk about the challenges the LGBTIQ+ community face when accessing healthcare.

“There is not enough focus on inclusion, and I think what LVNDR are doing has the power to disrupt the UK’s digital health space to better support the LGBTIQ+ community, so I am looking forward to seeing LVNDR grow and helping them to progress and accelerate across the NHS and social care.”

If you’re interested in learning more about LVNDR Health or the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator programme, please get in touch at brett.hatfield@nhs.net.