Goodbye Spectra Analytics, Hello Patchs Health

Goodbye Spectra Analytics, Hello Patchs Health

Creating the Future of Healthcare

This week, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re changing our name to Patchs Health. Doing so feels right, because over the years the focus of Spectra Analytics has evolved. Healthcare has always been our passion, but now it is also our singular focus.

As an AI and data science consultancy, it has always been our goal to help organisations harness the remarkable benefits of AI. But, now we are exclusively dedicated to improving the delivery of healthcare through the application of innovative technology and cutting-edge AI, we feel that the name Patchs Health better reflects who we are, and aligns us with our award-winning patchs software and millions of patients.

Our rebranding also helps us to express our ultimate mission: to create a united healthcare service. We envisage a world in which patients are more easily able to connect with a variety of specialised practitioners, leading to quicker care and increased wellbeing for all.

“Our new name is the next step in an exciting series of developments we’ll be rolling out over the coming months,” says our CEO, Dr Marcus Ong. “We already have a long track record in delivering innovative technology solutions within healthcare, but now our users can expect even better experiences and more exciting new services.”

As part of our new identity, we are also introducing a new logo. “The heart symbolises our commitment to patient-centred care,” says Marcus. “The two sides …integration, collaboration and connection…whilst the digital tree is a nod to our evolution from Spectra”

Building on Our Existing Success

More choice. Easier access. Safer outcomes.

Many of you will already be familiar with our flagship healthcare product, Patchs, which supports tens of thousands of patients every single day accessing primary care services. In turn, GP practices across the UK rely on Patchs to help manage their workloads and optimise patient care.

Patchs has taken off in ways we never could have anticipated back in 2018. We’ve witnessed the tremendously positive impact that technology can have when applied to the UK’s overburdened healthcare providers, and we’re hugely proud of the role we have played in that.

What you may be less familiar with is our long history in healthcare beyond Patchs. We first worked with UNICEF in 2015 to develop statistical modelling software for vaccination programmes. That is now used across Africa and India. In 2018 we worked with the City of Madrid to detect non-serviced air conditioning units from satellite images; this was important work, because such units  present a public health risk in the form of Legionella’s Disease. In 2020, we worked with partners across Europe to develop models capable of determining the risk of ICD implantation in patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction. We have also worked on projects with the NHS and Genomic England.

But this is just the beginning.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery

With the UK presently experiencing a healthcare crisis, we are committed to removing some of the most common barriers which stand in the way of people getting the help they need. “Unfortunately,” says Dr Ong, “one of the biggest compounding problems is that patients don’t know where to go to access appropriate care. This is because healthcare systems remain highly fragmented. This is exactly the situation we aim to change.”

Working for Your Whole Health

Dr Ong also noted the significant increase in patients suffering from mental health issues. To provide support for these patients, Patchs Health has teamed up with Telus Health, a global leader in healthcare services. Together with Telus Health, we will provide goal-focused counselling to people across the UK.

Our new counselling service is just the beginning – and we’re tremendously excited about where it will take us.

We hope that you will join us in our journey towards making healthcare better for everyone.

What You Can Expect

Key elements of our rebranding initiative include:

A NEW IDENTITY: We now have a new name, logo and website. Visit patchshealth.com to view all the changes in one place.

NEW FEATURES: Innovation is the lifeblood of our business. Most recently, we introduced our Patchs Telephone Assistant feature into Patchs, meaning that some of the most vulnerable members of society are able reap the benefits of our technology, just like everyone else.

EXCITING NEW PARTNERSHIPS: Our partnership with Telus Health allows us to provide professional counselling services to people across the UK. We look forward to collaborating with more service providers in the near future.

CONTINUITY: For current users of Patchs, rest assured: the digital platform you know and love is not changing. We are still the same people, committed to providing the same specialised service. It remains our ambition to make access to, and the management of, healthcare simpler, safer and more efficient

Stay in the Loop

Website: patchshealth.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/patchshealth

X (formerly Twitter): @PatchsHealth

About Patchs Health

Patchs Health is an award-winning digital healthcare company. We are a leader in healthcare communication and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to healthcare. We aim to unite healthcare services and make it easier for patients to get the help they need, when they need it.

512 512 Patchs Health

Marcus Ong PhD FIMA

Marcus Ong PhD FIMA

Chief Executive Officer

Marcus is the CEO and Co-Founder of Patchs Health. He is passionate about the positive impact which advanced technology can bring to the field of healthcare, and founded Patchs Health in order to help both patients and care providers realise these benefits.

He is an external academic supervisor and Advisory Board Member at the University of Warwick and a Fellow at the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), where he holds a Charter in Mathematics. In his early career Marcus worked in Capital Markets for Citigroup. He has also spent time as an NCA Special for the National Crime Agency, where he advised on the applications of Machine Learning and Data Science.

Marcus holds a PhD in Complexity Science with Finance and an MSc in Complexity Science, both from the University of Warwick. He also has a BSc in Physics from the University of Durham.

Outside of work Marcus loves to travel, watch football and horse ride when he can.

Youssef Taleb PhD


Youssef Taleb PhD

Lead Data Scientist

Youssef is the Lead Data Scientist at Patchs Health. He manages the development and delivery of all our Artificial Intelligence and analytics projects, working closely with our CTO to identify – and ensure we achieve – our objectives in these fields.

With a PhD and an MSc in Statistics from Imperial College London, as well as a Diplôme d’Ingénieur (MEng) from Telecom SudParis, Youssef continues to be a regular participant in university research projects. He is a GradStat member of the Royal Statistical Society, and supervises Patchs Health internships with PhD candidates. These internships help us to maintain strong links with the most pioneering thought in the academic world.

With a flair for technical complexity and a real enjoyment of the diverse nature of the role, Youssef finds the positive impact which his work has upon patients’ access to healthcare inspiring. He is committed to finding creative ways to solve the problems facing the healthcare industry.

Chris Crowther SIRA


Chris Crowther PhD SIRA

Chief Information Officer

Chris is our Chief Information Officer. He oversees information assurance and security at Patchs Health, ensuring that, amongst other things, the sensitive data contained within the Patchs system remains safe from online threats.

Chris has a first degree in Computer Science, an MA in Defence Studies and International Affairs, and a PhD in Cybersecurity. With over twenty-five years of leadership and management experience, he is CESG-certified as a Professional Lead Security and Information Risk Advisor (SIRA).

Chris set up the cyber security practices at KPMG and Airbus. He has also held senior roles within the UK Military (as well as in other UK Government departments), the US Military, the US Federal Government, and the United Nations, KPMG and Airbus.

Chris thrives when working on complex projects. He is committed to helping clients achieve digital transformation, and also enjoys passing on his expertise by mentoring more junior colleagues.


Sean Conner

Shareholder Representative

Sean is an experienced financial professional, who has worked in the capital markets for over 30 years. He represents and looks after the interests of shareholders on the Board.

Robert Brady PhD


Robert Brady PhD

Non-Executive Director

Robert advises Patchs Health on Business Development. He has extensive business experience, having previously listed his company, Brady PLC – the largest European supplier of software for global commodity trading – on the London Stock Exchange.

With both a PhD and an MA in Physics from the University of Cambridge, Robert is presently an Industrial Fellow at the University’s Computer Laboratory. He is also Treasurer of the Cambridge Angels, and was formerly an Honorary Fellow of the Cambridge Judge Business School.

Rob Eyre PhD


Rob Eyre PhD

Head of Software Development

Rob is the Head of Software Development at Patchs Health. A full-stack developer with extensive experience across multiple industries, he manages our team of developers and ensures that our software products are of the highest possible quality.

With both an MSc and a PhD in Complexity Science from the University of Warwick, as well as an MSci in Theoretical Physics from University College London, Rob originally joined us as a data scientist. He now works closely with our CTO, CMO and Product Manager in order to define and realise Patchs Health’s long-term vision.

Rob is fascinated by the interconnections between multiple systems. Using complex statistical models, his research has explored a range of public health issues – including the nature of behaviour contagion across friendship networks, and how fertility rates are calculated. His most recent publication sought to determine the causes of food insecurity in rural South Africa.

Joe Withers

Joe Withers

Data Engineer

Joe is a Senior Data Engineer at Patchs Health. He designs, builds and maintains the infrastructure which supports the way we store and process data. He also develops our back-end code, adding new features to Patchs to ensure that our functionality is always evolving.

The lead developer on one of Patchs Health’s most exciting features, the Telephone Assistant, Joe has both a degree and a masters in Computer Science (MComp) from the University of Bath.

He is a keen footballer – both 11-a-side and 5-a-side – and also enjoys climbing and bouldering in his free time.

Gwynneth Derere


Gwynneth Derere

Product Manager & Employee Representative

Gwynneth is the Product Manager and Head of Service Delivery for Patchs Health. She makes sure that our users have a smooth onboarding experience, and offers training and continuous support should they encounter any problems.

With over fifteen years of experience in the field, Gwynneth is a specialist in products for clinical systems. She has expertise across requirements management, implementation, software training and sales support, including product demonstrations. She has worked in the UK, Europe and overseas.

Before joining Patchs Health, Gwynneth worked in a diverse range of other care settings. She has also been a teacher, and has a PGCE in Primary Science and Technology. She has a BEng in Electrical Engineering, and spent a decade working in software development.

In her free time Gwynneth enjoys crochet, knitting and sewing, and walking her dog. She is a keen gardener and gains especial satisfaction from growing her own tomatoes.

Dr Ben Brown, MBChB


Dr Ben Brown PhD

Chief Medical Officer

Ben is Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Patchs Health, as well as a practicing GP and Clinical Senior Lecturer at The University of Manchester. With his frontline knowledge of the challenges facing GPs and patients, he helps ensure that Patchs is as helpful, efficient and safe as it can possibly be.

Ben’s work has been published in over 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and he has won awards from the International Medical Informatics Association, British Computer Society, and the Royal College of General Practitioners – amongst others. In addition to his medical training, he has qualifications in Health Informatics (PhD), Public Health (MPH), and Leadership (MSc).

An expert in developing clinical software that uses cutting-edge data science techniques, Ben witnesses daily the benefits that digital interventions can bring. He is particularly excited when he sees these benefits in the lives of patients and healthcare staff in his own practice.

Outside of work, Ben ‘enjoys’ watching football (he is a long-suffering Leeds United supporter), listening to music, and playing the talkbox. He has two young sons – identical twins – and, when he gets the chance, is not entirely averse to a good Scotch whisky.

Charlotte Watson PhD


Charlotte Watson PhD

Software Developer

Charlotte is a Full-Stack Developer at Patchs Health. She builds all parts of the Patchs’ platform – and fixes things when they go wrong (which doesn’t happen often!). Working across back-end processes, infrastructure, design and usability, she is responsible for the complete end-to-end life cycle of each new Patchs feature.

With a BSc in Biomedical Science and a PhD in Computational Statistics, both from the University of Manchester, Charlotte originally came to Patchs Health as a data scientist. However, once here she fell in love with development, and she hasn’t been able to stop doing it since.

A keen traveller and regular theatre-goer, Charlotte also enjoys playing ice hockey.

Dr Daniel Sprague


Dan Sprague PhD

Chief Technology & Science Officer

Dan is the Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Science Officer of Patchs Health. He leads our Technology and Data Science teams, overseeing Artificial Intelligence and software development, as well as our technology infrastructure.

He is an external academic supervisor at the University of Warwick, and previously worked as a consultant for USAID, helping them design immunisation programmes in Africa.

Dan is fascinated by the impact which people’s behavioural choices can have upon public health outcomes – including upon epidemics. His focus during his PhD was mathematical modelling and statistical methods to study those choices and their effects. Dan holds an MPhys in Physics from the University of Oxford as well as an MSc and PhD in Complexity Science from the University of Warwick.

Outside of work Dan enjoys climbing and playing the trumpet.

Lea Luders

Lea Luders

Software Developer

Lea is a Front-end Developer at Patchs Health. She helps to design and create the Patchs’ interface, so that our users have as positive an experience as possible.

With her background in Business Economics, Lea did not initially expect to work in software development – however, once she started coding she found that the combination of the technical aspect of the work with creativity was compelling. What she most enjoys is being able to make ideas come to life through the element of design.

Originally from the South of Germany, in her free time Lea enjoys reading and horse-riding. She is also a keen traveller.

Fowziya Begum

Quality Assurance Analyst

Fowziya is Patchs Health’s Quality Assurance Analyst. She thoroughly tests every aspect of our software, including our regular feature updates, to ensure that Patchs users experience as glitch-free a service as possible.

With a degree in Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, before joining us Fowziya worked in other healthcare organisations which, similarly to Patchs Health, place technological innovation and patient care at the forefront of their work. She has always been fascinated by the field, and actively seeks out the latest advancements in healthcare IT in order to improve her skills in the industry.

Beyond her professional role, Fowziya likes to volunteer for local community organisations. She lives with her husband and young son, and regularly helps out at children’s play clubs.

Mohibur Rahman

Customer Support Analyst

Mohib is our Customer Support Analyst. He provides a first point of contact for users who get in touch, and works hard to make sure that they get the support they need. Mohib also keeps track of all Patchs Health activity. He provides the team with daily data reports, so that we can understand how we are doing.

Prior to joining us, Mohib worked with Vision Health. Before that, he specialised in operational business support at a central government institution.

Mohib is passionate about helping those in need. Outside of work, he is an active charity volunteer and fundraiser. He also participates in field trips with the 13 Rivers Trust, an organization committed to helping provide basic livelihood essentials to the poor in Bangladesh, particularly orphans, widows and the elderly.


Martin Hickman


Chief Financial Officer

Martin is a senior finance professional whose early career was spent in a number of financial and operational roles in FTSE 250 PLCs. For the last 15 years Martin has worked in a financial capacity with a number of early stage and high growth technology companies..

Steve Williams

Business Development Advisor

Steve is our Business Development Advisor. He brings more than 3 decades of global experience in technology and data infrastructure to Patchs Health, as well as his extensive management and risk/compliance experience.

Steve has held many senior roles in America, the UK, and in Japan. Previously the Global COO Equity Electronic Trading at Citi, he has also been Head of Trading for BNP Paribas in Japan. As General Manager of Fixnetix, a DXC technology company, Steve focussed on enhancing the operational efficiencies of Investment Banks and trading companies worldwide.