Startups 100 runner up unveils expansion plans Cera, the digital-first healthcare startup, which came second in this year’s Startups 100 index, will deliver 15 new digital hubs to help ease pressure on the NHS. Written by Helena Young Published on 3 November 2021 Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Written and reviewed by: Helena Young Lead Writer Cera, this year’s second place Startups 100 business, is developing 15 Digital Healthcare Hubs in cities and towns throughout the UK over the next six months.Founded in 2016, Cera is focused on delivering at-home ‘digitally powered’ healthcare services.In response to COVID-19, Cera’s smart tech solution has delivered more than 10 million healthcare visits in older people’s homes across the UK since the pandemic’s outbreak.Now the 15 Hubs, combined with Cera’s existing network throughout the UK, will see the company providing healthcare services to a community equal in size to the capacity of several dozen NHS Hospitals or 1,000 Care Homes every day.In just over four years, Cera has established itself as one of the largest providers of healthcare at home in the UK, as well as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe.Last month, we awarded them second place in our Startups 100 index, which celebrates the most disruptive new businesses in the UK, in recognition of its innovation and stellar growth.Healthtech paves the way for UK health servicesThe news of Cera’s expansion comes in light of last week’s budget announcement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, through which £6bn is to be invested in the use of digital technology throughout the NHS.The NHS is anticipating a winter of unprecedented pressure, due to the ongoing pandemic – with one in ten COVID-19 sufferers experiencing long-term symptoms – a backlog of treatments and surgeries following lockdown and the pending flu season.Cera’s Digital Healthcare Hubs are dedicated community teams of healthcare professionals who, empowered by pioneering digital technology, deliver services, such as care, nursing, telehealth, home medications and prescriptions, away from a hospital or care home setting.The expansion will enable Cera to support those suffering from long-COVID, older and vulnerable people who’ve recently been discharged from hospital and those requiring daily care or nursing services, in their own home.Ben Maruthappu, co-founder and CEO of Cera, commented: “The pandemic has greatly exacerbated, and accelerated, many of the historic challenges that the NHS and social care sector have battled in the UK. It has also, in turn, reaffirmed the need for reform, and to embrace technology and innovation to ensure our older community have access to timely, quality healthcare services.“Our launch of 15 Digital Healthcare Hubs will alleviate pressures on the NHS and support older people when they need it most, so that they can receive high quality, proactive and digital-first healthcare in the comfort of their own home.”Cera is also planning to launch it’s Digital Healthcare Hubs in the following cities and towns; London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley, Colchester, Southampton, Peterborough and Southend-on-Sea. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Written by: Helena Young Lead Writer Helena is Lead Writer at Startups. As resident people and premises expert, she's an authority on topics such as business energy, office and coworking spaces, and project management software. With a background in PR and marketing, Helena also manages the Startups 100 Index and is passionate about giving early-stage startups a platform to boost their brands. From interviewing Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin to spotting data-led working from home trends, her insight has been featured by major trade publications including the ICAEW, and news outlets like the BBC, ITV News, Daily Express, and HuffPost UK.