The Proactive Patient Era: Helping Make Specialist Care Easier to Access

Residents of London now have a wider range of healthcare options. Today’s patient is no longer interested in where care is available – but where it begins. At the center of this shift lies a more informed, more demanding patient, and this is where Acıbadem Healthcare Group, one of Turkey’s largest integrated health systems, comes into play.

With its London Office, which serves not as a clinic but as a starting point of contact, the healthcare brand offers Londoners a place to ask questions, share records, and understand what a treatment pathway might look like before making any commitments. 

Merve Sarıgül, spokesperson for the London Office, says many people who decide to explore treatment options are not waiting for a health issue to become urgent, which results in a behaviour change.  “They are not only after treatment, but they want a well-organised experience,” she says about the increasing value of convenience and coordination. 

The healthcare sector, which used to be defined by fragmentation due to separate referrals, systems, and conversations, is now changing thanks to Acıbadem’s London office. In this office, the healthcare group representatives answer the needs of a growing number of people in London who are interested in faster access to specialist care, second opinions, preventive check-ups, or treatments such as dental, orthopaedics, and fertility support. 

“With this approach, healthcare is now more focused on consumer experience than it was before,” she notes, adding that patients today expect the same level of responsiveness they experience in other parts of their lives.

Today, it brings different parts of the process together, with one team helping people navigate appointments, travel, and follow-ups.

“Patients who seek international treatment had to learn to work out a system that is foreign to them. Here at our Acıbadem London Office, we serve as a local contact point. Here they can ask questions, discuss possible routes to take, and they can make an informed decision,” Sarıgül explains.

During the consultation, Londoners can also inquire about the timeline, costs, and the clinical roadmap before making any commitment.

“It can help create a more comfortable experience and help people feel at ease when getting care.” Sarıgül points out, noting that this is a significant shift, particularly for time-pressed professionals.

While many people intend to prioritize their health, in reality, this often gets postponed, she says, adding that the team “works very hard to turn this intention into action.” 

The Acıbadem London team offers a bridge for preventive health, which includes topics ranging from personalised check-ups to women’s health consultations, fertility questions, and second opinions. “We believe early guidance is very valuable. Because it allows people to act before a problem gets worse,” she says. 

A broader signal for the future of healthcare access

The Acıbadem Healthcare London office aims to give residents more timely and convenient access to care. Sarıgül suggests this shift reflects changing expectations around how people approach their health.

In a market shaped by rising patient expectations and a demand for better-designed healthcare journeys, this appears to be a gap that Acıbadem is able and willing to fulfill.

According to Acıbadem’s own data, the hospital group treats over 50,000 international patients annually. This number is expected to grow in the near future with the expansion of its international network.