Our Mission
Aatish Vara, a young carer himself, understands that managing someone under your care can be stressful, especially when balancing multiple patients alongside your own personal life. He created this platform to support people like him and others facing similar challenges. More features are coming soon, and if you have any suggestions, your voice is valued.
A Problem Costing Over £1 Billion Annually
The main causes include forgetfulness, communication issues, difficulty cancelling, and practical barriers such as transport or caring responsibilities. Simple solutions like SMS reminders have proven effective in significantly reducing absences and their financial impact.
Each missed hospital and GP appointment costs approximately £165 and £20-30 respectively, costing the NHS over £1.5 billion annually.
Over 15 Million GP and
Hospital Appointments
Are Missed in the UK Every Year
This creates longer wait times for appointments and delays access to essential care. Many of these absences are due to leading reasons such as work and family commitments, forgetfulness, and clinical miscommunication.
Beyond the Numbers: The Human Cost of Care
Over half of unpaid carers frequently feel overwhelmed and are unable to take breaks due to lack of support, leading to worsening mental health for many.
A majority do not receive Carer's Assessments or adequate practical help from local authorities, with long wait times and insufficient social care services impacting carers' wellbeing.
Our Story
Juggling appointments and reminders shouldn't be overwhelming. Varalign keeps everything organised—so support feels simpler, and care stays connected. Varalign was created to bring clarity and control to the complexities of managing appointments and care, empowering carers to focus on what truly matters.
References
1. Parsons, J., Bryce, C. and Atherton, H. (2021) ‘Which patients miss appointments with General Practice and the reasons why: A systematic review’, British Journal of General Practice, 71(707). doi:10.3399/bjgp.2020.1017.
2. NHS England (2023) NHS drive to reduce ‘no-shows’ to help tackle long waits for care. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/01/nhs-drive-to-reduce-no-shows-to-help-tackle-long-waits-for-care/ (Accessed: 23 May 2025).
3. Pan African Medical Journal (no date) The economic implications of missed appointments in general practice in a sub-saharan african country. Available at: https://www.one-health.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/2/9/full/ (Accessed: 23 May 2025).
4. Learning and Work Institute (2021) Response to Census 2021 data on English language proficiency. Available at: https://learningandwork.org.uk/news-and-policy/response-to-census-2021-data-on-english-language-proficiency/ (Accessed: 23 May 2025).