Card Medic

CardMedic is a digital health company that provides a communication support tool for healthcare professionals to overcome barriers with patients. The company was founded in April 2020 by Dr. Rachael Grimaldi, an NHS anaesthetist, and her husband, Tim Grimaldi. The idea emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when Dr. Grimaldi, then on maternity leave, read about a patient's fear of not understanding healthcare staff through their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This inspired the creation of a digital solution to improve communication, which launched within 72 hours of its conception.

The core product is a mobile and web app that functions as a library of pre-scripted, clinically-validated digital 'flashcards' replicating common healthcare conversations. These scripts cover a wide range of topics and can be adapted at the point of care to overcome various barriers, including foreign languages, hearing or visual impairments, cognitive difficulties, and low literacy. The platform supports over 50 languages, British Sign Language videos, 'easy read' formats with images, and read-aloud functionality. An integrated speech-to-text translation tool and access to live interpreters are also available for more complex dialogues.

CardMedic operates on a B2B SaaS subscription model, selling licenses to healthcare systems like hospitals and NHS Trusts, while remaining free for the end-users—staff and patients. The company serves healthcare providers in the UK and the US, including NHS Trusts, an air ambulance service, and US hospitals. The business has received funding from various sources, including Innovate UK, angel investors, and a £499,683 grant from SBRI Healthcare in 2025 to develop an AI-enabled language portal.

Keywords: health equity, patient communication, clinical communication tool, healthcare translation, digital health, patient safety, language access services, assistive technology, B2B SaaS, NHS innovation, audiology, learning disability support, visual impairment aid, cognitive impairment tool, multi-lingual medical scripts, PPE communication, remote interpreting, clinical documentation, patient-centered care, digital flashcards, health literacy