Max Pardo-Roques has been leading Develop Consulting’s marketing efforts for the past five years, after being invited by CEO Steve Boam to join the company at its inception. During his time with the firm, he has played a key role in managing important contracts, such as the one with NHS England. Reflecting on his experience with Develop Consulting, Pardo-Roques shared with Consultancy.uk how the firm has supported the health institution through challenging times and outlined the company’s plans for the future.
“Over the last five years, Develop Consulting has worked with approximately 1,500 general practice sites,” Pardo-Roques noted. “During this time, we have observed the increasing challenges faced by general practices in meeting patient demands and delivering quality services.”
He highlighted various factors contributing to these challenges, such as staff shortages and the impact of Covid-19, which forced practices to adapt their operations significantly. Develop Consulting has been working to assist general practices in alleviating some of these strains and creating breathing space as they navigate uncertain political landscapes.
One notable issue identified by Pardo-Roques is the insatiable patient demand. He emphasized the importance of practices understanding and managing the factors driving this demand to improve their operational efficiency and patient service quality.
Develop Consulting has been collaborating with practices to address issues such as unresolved patient interactions, where queries are not resolved in the first instance, leading to increased demand and operational inefficiencies. By implementing strategies to resolve queries promptly and educating patients on alternative healthcare providers, such as nurses or pharmacists, the firm aims to support practices in managing patient demand effectively.
Pardo-Roques acknowledged the importance of incremental change in healthcare improvement and emphasized Develop Consulting’s commitment to facilitating small but impactful transformations within general practices. The firm’s approach involves listening to each practice’s specific challenges, implementing quick wins, and empowering practice staff to drive positive changes.
Despite operating primarily in the private manufacturing sector, Develop Consulting has established strong relationships with NHS England over the years. The firm recently secured a new contract to support the general practice improvement programme, further expanding its footprint in the healthcare sector.
Looking ahead, Develop Consulting plans to continue specializing in its niche areas, focusing on delivering quality services to clients and driving positive outcomes. While there are no immediate plans for significant growth in headcount, the firm aims to enhance its offerings through subsidiary companies, such as click2learn and Innovative Online Products, to provide innovative solutions for healthcare operators nationwide.
One of the firm’s notable initiatives is the Demand and Capacity Optimisation Tool, designed to help practices gather and analyze data for proactive decision-making and practice improvement. By empowering practices with actionable insights and tools for self-improvement, Develop Consulting aims to make a lasting impact on the healthcare sector in the years to come.