Calgary-based healthtech startup Wello is expanding its existing partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) to offer support to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The companies will now offer a telemedicine platform that connects business owners and their employees with health practitioners 24/7 by phone, video, and secure messaging, in addition to on-call support for urgent care. RBC small business clients will have access to the service at no charge for 60 days.
Wello is also providing businesses with guidance on how to support employees.
“Having employees connect with medical experts through Wello reduces the demand for face-to-face appointments, and ensures employees get access to reliable and timely support for acute and chronic health needs, while staying safe at home,” said Vince Danielsen, CEO of Wello.
Launched in 2017, Wello aims to provide direct and efficient access to medical support and care for immediate and long-term needs without patients having to visit a doctor’s office. It does this through on-demand, phone or video-calling across the country. It also provides on-call support for urgent care needs after hours.
Through a network of healthcare practitioners, Wello users can get access to physical and mental health resources like prescription and medical referrals, consultations on chronic health conditions, health education and coaching, and mental health support.
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Wello is also providing business leaders with guidance on how to support employees during the pandemic through its COVID-19 Resource Hub, which includes weekly webinars hosted by clinical experts, such as Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, a practicing physician and Wello’s medical director.
“In a very short period of time, many Canadian businesses were forced into a zero revenue environment and that is creating anxiety and uncertainty for owners and their employees,” said Greg Grice, executive vice president of business financial services at RBC.
“One of the ways we can help clients adjust to this new reality is through the mental and physical health support resources offered by Wello to ensure clients and their employees are cared for during these times,” Grice added.
Image source Wello.