Reimagining recovery: changing the way we prepare for surgery

In a healthcare system stretched to its limits, the idea of preparing for treatment – rather than simply enduring it – can feel radical. But for me, it's common sense. And it's changing lives.

From the operating room to the startup world

I have spent decades as a consultant anaesthetist inside the NHS and have seen the toll that major surgery takes on patients, especially those already vulnerable due to cancer or chronic illness. I also saw something else: a missed opportunity.

There's this window between diagnosis and treatment, and we weren't doing much with it.

That window became the spark for QuestPrehab, a digital platform designed to help patients build strength, resilience, and confidence before surgery. It's not just about fitness. QuestPrehab supports patients across nutrition, mindfulness, and lifestyle too. All delivered virtually, and tailored to each person's needs.

For me, accessibility was key. I wanted to create an evidence-based solution that was cost-effective and available to all – removing the need for travel, which can be a barrier for many patients, especially those already dealing with fatigue, mobility issues, or financial strain.

The results speak for themselves. Patients who complete a prehab course tend to recover faster, avoid complications, and get back to daily life sooner. Over 1,500 NHS cancer patients have already benefited and the platform is now expanding to support liver transplant candidates and international partners.

Take Brian; after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes, retired pharmacist Brian used QuestPrehab to transform his health; losing weight, reversing his diabetes, reducing medication, and improving mobility. Ultimately completing cancer treatment with a strong prognosis and renewed quality of life.

Innovation isn't always a straight line

But turning a bold idea into a working solution inside the NHS? That's a whole different challenge.

Funding is fragmented. Decision-making is slow. And promising innovations often get stuck in endless pilot phases, never reaching full rollout. There's often a disconnect between policy and implementation. Clinicians may want change but lack purchasing power.

There is also the challenge of proving success in preventive care. How do you measure the complications that didn't happen? The system is built to fund treatment, not prevention.

Despite this, I remain hopeful. Recognition from national media and NHS leaders suggests that prehabilitation is gaining traction, not just as a clinical tool, but as a way to ease waiting lists and improve long-term outcomes.

My advice to healthcare leaders? Be more entrepreneur-friendly. Embrace external expertise. Fund what works, even if it wasn't invented here.

A blueprint for better care

QuestPrehab isn't just a startup, it's a signal of what's possible when clinical insight meets digital innovation, and my journey shows that with the right support, we can reimagine recovery, not just for some patients, but for everyone.