Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Discharge Central
General
What is Discharge Central?
Discharge Central is a digital coordination platform that helps NHS hospitals manage patient discharges more efficiently. It connects ward staff, discharge coordinators, care homes, and community services through secure messaging, capacity management, and workflow automation.
Who is Celerix Health?
Celerix Health is a healthcare technology startup founded by a medical student who witnessed discharge delays firsthand during clinical placements. We're NHS Supplier registered and participating in UoB Elevate Cohort 5.
Is Discharge Central currently available?
We're currently in development with pilot programmes planned for mid-2026. Get in touch to discuss early access opportunities.
Security & Compliance
Is Discharge Central secure and NHS-compliant?
Yes. We use end-to-end encryption, comply with DCB0129 and DCB0160 clinical safety standards, meet UK GDPR requirements, and follow NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit guidelines. All patient data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
Where is patient data stored?
Data is stored in UK-based, NHS-compliant data centres. We never store data outside the UK and all hosting providers are ISO 27001 certified.
How do you ensure information governance?
We provide full audit trails, role-based access control, data processing agreements, IG Toolkit support documentation, and regular security assessments. Every action is logged and time-stamped for governance.
Implementation
How long does implementation take?
3-6 months from contract signature to full deployment. Timeline includes system configuration, EPR integration, staff training, pilot testing, and go-live support.
What EPR systems do you integrate with?
We support FHIR R4 integration with major NHS EPR systems including Nervecentre, SystemOne, EMIS, and Cerner. One EPR integration is included in the annual licence; additional integrations are quoted separately.
How much training is required?
Minimal. The interface is WhatsApp-style messaging that most users already understand. We provide train-the-trainer sessions, video tutorials, quick reference guides, and ongoing support.
Can we do a pilot before full deployment?
Absolutely! We strongly recommend 3-6 month pilots with 2-3 wards to validate the solution before trust-wide rollout. Custom pilot pricing available.
Pricing
How much does Discharge Central cost?
Free for care homes and community services. For NHS trusts: £50-150 per bed annually for single trust licences, or £200,000-500,000 annually for ICS-wide deployments. Outcomes-based pricing (£10-25 per discharge) also available. See our pricing page for details.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Pricing is transparent. The annual licence includes unlimited users, all core features, one EPR integration, standard support, and regular updates. Implementation fee (£50,000-150,000) is separate and one-time. Additional EPR integrations and premium support are optional add-ons.
Is there a minimum contract term?
Typically 12 months with 30-day termination clause after initial term. Pilot programmes can be shorter (3-6 months). We want long-term partnerships, not locked-in customers.
Features & Functionality
Does it work on mobile devices?
Yes! Progressive web app works on any device - install on home screen like native app. Works offline with automatic sync. Optimised for smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Can families see updates about their loved ones?
This is planned for future phases. Currently focused on professional-to-professional coordination, but family communication features are on the roadmap.
Do you integrate with Capacity Tracker?
Yes. Direct integration with NHS England's national Capacity Tracker system for real-time care home bed availability.
Can we customise the platform?
Yes, within limits. We support workflow customisation, custom fields, branded interfaces (white-label add-on), and trust-specific reporting. Core UX remains consistent to ensure usability.