Wais Shaifta has officially stepped up to the role of CEO at Push Doctor, following the departure of co-founder, Eren Ozagir.
Reports circulated in September that he left due to a “difference of opinion” related to up to 40 job cuts.
Today, Shaifta didn’t mention cuts, instead focusing on his growth targets and plans to strengthen the Manchester company’s relationships with the NHS.
“At Push Doctor we want to help people live longer, happier lives and I am confident we are well positioned to deliver on this vision. We are focused on providing digital consultations in the UK at the highest clinical standard, and we are determined not to be distracted by technology which won’t be relevant in the near and medium term and which does not serve the consumer patient well at this point. Putting the patient first will remain our objective first and foremost,” he said.
“The new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been vocal in his support for better use of technology within the NHS and we believe we are best placed to offer this, while at the same time offering patients access to the best possible choice of primary and preventative care.”
Shaifta was previously the company’s chief operating officer and prior to that was global operations director of Treatwell.
His ambition in the new role is to make Push Doctor’s primary care product available to 75% of the population within five years.
He also said he was committed to making healthcare accessible “at any time, on any device, allowing patients to be in control of their health data.”
“Wais has a reputation for delivering rapid product development and execution, as well as excellent leadership skills. The business is already benefitting from his clarity of purpose and ability to drive fast product development through consumer patient insight work and fast-paced developments through our two excellent technology teams in Birmingham and Manchester,” added Susanne Given, chairwoman of Push Doctor.
