WA Health: Leap company developing automation solution for chronic disease recall in primary care

In this case study, Hauwa Muhammad, Co-Founder of WA Health, reflects on how meaningful opportunities for collaboration and connection through the Leap programme continue to shape the AI-powered automation solution for administrative tasks.

In the UK, NHS doctors spend approximately 44% of their time on administrative tasks, highlighting a significant burden on healthcare professionals and impacting patient care delivery. Furthermore, the NHS is working toward reducing treatment delays, with an ambitious target to ensure 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029. With a shift towards delivering care in the community, addressing NHS productivity could unlock billions in funding and help deliver neighbourhood working, according to IPPR.

To help tackle these challenges, WA Health has developed an innovative AI-powered solution that automates administrative tasks for healthcare professionals, streamlining processes such as chronic disease monitoring, appointment bookings, document processing, referrals, and patient registration.

Journey 

WA Health was co-founded by Hauwa Muhammad, a graduate in Biomedical Science and Cloud Operation engineer, and Inny Oninuire, a Medical Doctor who worked at a GP practice as a Patient Service Officer.

Our automation solution emerged from eight years of frontline NHS experience, where we witnessed administrative burdens causing weeks-long delays in patient care. Processing discharge documents and referrals created massive backlogs, frustrating both patients and clinicians.

We’ve validated this problem through surveys with 100+ NHS GP Practices.

This solution addresses a critical gap in patient safety and practice efficiency. The automation of chronic disease recalls ensures patients aren’t missed while simultaneously helping practices meet their CQC requirements and QOF targets. What’s particularly impressive is how the system includes patients who aren’t tech-savvy—no one gets left behind.
— Dr. Sajid Ali

Impact so far  

• Successfully completed the first real-world testing phase of our flagship product, Rapid Discharge, in an active GP practice, yielding exceptional results that validated our core value proposition. Initial data showed a 43% reduction in discharge document processing time.
  
• Secured strong commitments from five forward-thinking GP practices to implement a comprehensive month-long pilot programme of our solution, representing a combined patient population of over 35,000 and providing crucial diverse testing environments across urban and rural settings.
  
• Launched initial testing of our innovative Rapid Booker system, which demonstrated immediate impact by helping practices exceed their Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets by an average of 22%, directly improving critical health metrics while simultaneously unlocking substantial financial incentives worth approximately £14,500 per practice annually.
  
• Gathered comprehensive user feedback from both clinical and administrative staff, resulting in three key product enhancements that align perfectly with NHS digital transformation objectives and position our solution for potential system-wide adoption.

Connecting with a community of founders through the Leap Programme 

The Leap programme became a pivotal turning point in my entrepreneurial journey, offering far more than just conventional business support. From day one, I was embraced by a community of like-minded innovators who understood the unique challenges of healthcare entrepreneurship.

One of the most valuable aspects was the meaningful connections fostered within the cohort. Meeting fellow founder Luthfun Nessa, CEO of PebbleSense, transformed from a professional acquaintance into a genuine friendship that has directly contributed to the growth of both of our businesses. This peer-to-peer support created an environment where we could openly share challenges and collectively problem-solve.

The programme’s practical assistance proved invaluable. When navigating the complex Interface mechanism (IM1) application process, other Digital Health.London founders generously shared their insights and experiences, significantly streamlining what could have been an overwhelming process. Similarly, the dedicated support from Vanessa Ponnusamy, Senior Programme Manager for Leap, and Sara Nelson, Programme Director at DigitalHealth.London, with my Global Talent Visa application was instrumental in securing my ability to continue building my innovation in the UK.

Beyond the cohort itself, the programme opened doors to crucial industry connections. Meeting compliance experts like Assuric has ensured our innovation adheres to necessary regulations – a critical factor for success in healthcare. The opportunity to connect with investors such as Elizabeth Klein from Calculus Capital provided invaluable feedback and potential pathways to future funding.

What sets the Leap Programme apart is its holistic approach to founder development. Beyond tactical business support, it creates a sustaining community that continues to provide encouragement and opportunities long after the formal programme ends. This combination of practical assistance and emotional support has fundamentally shifted my outlook as a founder, making me more resilient, connected, and confident in navigating the healthcare innovation landscape.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Leap programme to any healthcare innovator. It doesn’t just help you build a business—it helps you become part of a movement of changemakers who support each other to transform healthcare for the better.

Next Steps

We are rapidly accelerating the development of our breakthrough product, Rapid Booker – an intelligent automation solution that revolutionises chronic disease management through advanced patient engagement. This technology intelligently identifies patients overdue for appointments and initiates personalised AI-powered calls. Our AI adapts to patient responses in real-time, respects preferences whilst efficiently scheduling appointments, and recognises various UK accents and dialects, ensuring accessibility for diverse patient populations across the NHS.

Our primary focus remains improving patient safety by ensuring timely interventions for chronic disease management, whilst simultaneously enabling GP practices to meet their Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets. This dual benefit creates a compelling value proposition—enhancing patient care whilst helping practices meet regulatory obligations and unlock associated financial incentives.

To find out more, visit the website or connect on LinkedIn

Hauwa Muhammad, Co-Founder of WA Health, was part of the DigitalHealth.London Leap programme.

The DigitalHealth.London Leap programme is funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London in partnership with the Office of Life Sciences, CW+, Medicity, NHS England, the Mayor of London and the Levelling Up Fund.

For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-
shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.