User:BusinessMindedMan/sandbox/Medstars

Medstars
Medstars is a company founded by two consultant NHS doctors, Barry Lambert and Mahnaz Hashmi. They began the company in 2014, launching their first site with around 50 practitioners. Following investment from the NHS and others, they relaunched a new version of Medstars in 2017, improving the service they offer to patients.

Medstars enables patients to search for, and book the best private healthcare doctors in the UK. Their service lets people compare doctors, and read and write reviews on the doctors they have visited. Medstars Compass concierge service allows patients to gain personalised help in order to discuss their medical conditions and to find the best doctor for them.

Background
Medstars is a pioneering tech start-up business, which enables better access to paid-for healthcare by embracing technology. Since being founded in 2014, Medstars has gained support from Birmingham-based entrepreneurs and others. Medstars has been covered and featured in many local and national newspapers. Birmingham Mail and The Independent have featured Medstars, and their founders, for their roles in promoting transparent healthcare and protection of junior doctors.

Area of Operation
Medstars' headquarters are located in Birmingham, at Birmingham Science Park business incubator iCentrum.

The majority of their doctors are located in Birmingham and London, however there are multiple other practitioners in the West and East Midlands, as well as the Home Counties.

Public image
Medstars has had good public exposure due to its support of local communities, issues and campaigns. Founders Barry Lambert and Mahnaz Hashmi have been described as 'plotting their own destinies', as they 'cut out the middle men'. Business Matters have written about Medstars, saying it allows patients to 'check prices and availability' of clinics and doctors 'straight away'.

Junior doctors
Co-founder Mahnaz Hashmi has often been in the press for her showing of support to NHS junior doctors, saying “It is about protecting the NHS now and in years to come.”

Road-safety
In the wake of the tragic death of junior doctor Dr Suzanna Bull, Medstars co-founder Barry Lambert pledged his support to the campaign #protectbrumcyclists and took part in a mass cycle along the road where the tragic accident occurred. The vigil and remembrance ride was well attended and looked to help raise safety awareness for cyclists as well as promoting the creation of more cycle-friendly lanes in Birmingham.

Humans of Brum
Medstars began a social media campaign which raised the awareness of the humanity of the homeless community in Birmingham. Under the hashtag, #HumansOfBrum the campaign told the stories of many people who had found themselves homeless on the streets of the Second City. The campaign gained great traction and awareness, with support even being pledged from the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street. The campaign also supported a fundraiser for local Birmingham-based homeless charity, SIFA Fireside.

The stories uncovered great insights into the lives and circumstances of the homeless, in particular how 'spice', 'black mamba', and other synthetic marijuana and legal highs affected them. The use of these legal highs have been seen as greatly disruptive and dangerous to the homeless community. SIFA Fireside - the charity supported by Medstars - helps those with addiction problems, as they look to tackle legal highs.