Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become an essential part of healthcare delivery in the UK. From routine check-ups to mental health sessions, more patients are accessing care remotely than ever before. As this shift continues, the demand for intuitive, secure, and fully-featured telehealth software has never been greater.
In this article, we’ll explore the must-have features your telehealth software should include to support better patient care, boost practice efficiency, and ensure compliance in a digital-first landscape.
Why Choosing the Right Telehealth Software Matters
The software you choose has a direct impact on your patients’ experience and your team’s productivity. According to NHS Digital, over 99% of GP practices are now enabled to offer online consultations, and patient satisfaction with remote care remains high when digital tools are user-friendly and secure.
In private practice, the right telehealth system can streamline your workload, reduce no-shows, and enhance clinical outcomes, helping you provide high-quality care wherever your patients are.
Must-Have Telehealth Software Features
Secure Video Consultation Tools
Your platform should support end-to-end encrypted HD video consultations, with the option to share screens for patient education or visual assessments. While GDPR is the core regulation in the UK, HIPAA-aligned privacy features offer additional reassurance, especially for patients concerned about data security.
Online Booking and Scheduling
Offering 24/7 online booking empowers patients to schedule appointments at their convenience, while reducing admin time for your team. Bonus points for systems that integrate with your calendar and include automated reminders to reduce no-shows.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration
Access to up-to-date clinical notes during a video consultation is critical. A good telehealth platform should integrate seamlessly with your EHR and support interoperability with NHS systems, so you can view test results, history, and treatment plans in real time.
Automated Appointment Reminders
SMS and email reminders can cut no-shows by up to 40%, making them a simple yet powerful feature. Look for solutions that allow personalised messaging based on appointment type or patient preferences.
Patient Portal Access
A secure portal gives patients direct access to their test results, appointment history, and communication with your team, all in one place. This self-service functionality reduces inbound queries and helps patients stay more engaged in their care.
Invoicing and Secure Payments
Your software should enable you to generate invoices automatically and accept a range of payment types, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, or NHS-integrated payments. PCI compliance is non-negotiable when handling payment data.
Clinical Workflow Automation
Features like customisable templates, auto-generated notes, and electronic prescribing save valuable time. For example, being able to automatically send a prescription to a partner pharmacy immediately after a consultation helps speed up the patient journey.
Reporting and Analytics Dashboard
Monitor patient outcomes, financial performance, and clinician productivity through an easy-to-use dashboard. Bonus points if you can customise these views to suit your practice’s needs, whether you’re a sole practitioner or part of a larger clinic.
What Sets Great Telehealth Software Apart?
It’s not just about ticking boxes. The best telehealth software goes a step further with:
- A clean, intuitive user interface
- Customisability for your specific area of care (e.g. mental health, physiotherapy, podiatry)
- UK-based support and data hosting, ensuring you meet local compliance requirements and get help when you need it
How to Evaluate Telehealth Software Providers
When comparing providers, ask the following:
- Is it GDPR-compliant with secure UK data hosting?
- Is the platform easy to use for both patients and staff?
- What onboarding, training, and customer support are included?
- Is pricing transparent with no hidden fees?
- What’s the software’s uptime and reliability track record?
- Are there reviews or testimonials from UK clinics?
Why WriteUpp Meets All These Needs
Our cloud-based software is built specifically for healthcare professionals, combining powerful features with ease of use:
- HD video consultations with end-to-end encryption
- Integrated online booking and smart scheduling
- Fully interoperable EHR system
- Personalised SMS and email reminders
- Secure patient portal for 24/7 access
- PCI-compliant payments and automated invoicing
- Template-driven charting, digital prescriptions, and more
- Real-time analytics and reporting dashboards
- UK-hosted data with a UK-based support team
👉 Book a free demo or sign up for a free 30-day trial to explore everything WriteUpp has to offer.
As patient expectations evolve and remote care becomes the norm, having the right telehealth software is no longer optional; it’s essential. Whether you’re just starting to offer video consultations or looking to upgrade your current system, investing in feature-rich, compliant, and intuitive software can elevate both your patient experience and your clinical outcomes.
FAQs
What features should telehealth software include for private clinics?
Secure video consultations, online booking, automated reminders, EHR integration, patient portals, secure payments, and customisable workflows.
How can I integrate telehealth software with my EHR system?
Look for platforms that offer built-in integration or use open APIs to connect with your existing health record systems.
What are the best tools for secure video consultations?
Look for tools offering HD video, screen sharing, and end-to-end encryption. WriteUpp’s video tools are fully integrated and GDPR-compliant.
How do automated reminders reduce missed appointments?
By sending SMS or email reminders ahead of time, patients are more likely to remember and attend their appointments, reducing no-show rates significantly.
Can I use telehealth software for mental health sessions?
Absolutely. Many practitioners in counselling and psychology use platforms like WriteUpp to conduct secure, confidential remote therapy.
What’s the cost of telehealth software for private practice owners in the UK?
Pricing varies, but WriteUpp offers flexible plans starting from just £14.95/month, with no long-term contracts or hidden fees.
What is the ROI of implementing telehealth software in a clinic?
ROI comes through reduced admin, fewer missed appointments, improved patient retention, and increased appointment capacity, all of which translate to higher revenue and better care.
