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Thomas Andrew Porteus, MBCS
HealthTech
MBCS
Thomas writes to inform, inspire, and equip practice leaders and health professionals navigating change, drawing on two decades of hands-on work across the UK health system.
With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of healthcare and technology, Thomas is a trusted voice on practice operations, digital transformation, and patient engagement. A seasoned expert in supporting primary care and NHS practices, he brings deep insight into the real-world challenges—and opportunities—of delivering better care through smarter systems. Whether advising on workflow redesign, digital tools, or service innovation, Thomas combines strategic thinking with a practical understanding of what works on the ground.
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If you regularly experience heartburn, acid regurgitation, or discomfort after meals, you may be able to take part in a new clinical study delivered by The Functional Gut Clinic. This research compares two different ways of treating reflux symptoms in people who are at an early stage of their condition and have not yet begun medication. The study has been reviewed by an independent research ethics committee and is being carried out to full Good Clinical Practice standards. For many people living with reflux, symptoms can vary from mild irritation to a significant impact on daily life. This study aims to understand which early interventions may offer the greatest benefit and how symptoms change over time.
Constipation can cause significant discomfort and disruption to daily life. A new research study run by The Functional Gut Clinic is investigating whether a multi-strain bacterial food product can help improve bowel regularity and gut function. The study has been approved by an independent ethics committee and adheres to Good Clinical Practice. Many people with constipation try different treatments before finding something that helps. This study aims to explore whether a targeted bacterial product could offer benefits for gut transit and digestive comfort.
Faecal incontinence can have a significant effect on confidence, daily activities, and overall wellbeing. The PelviPower2 study, delivered by Tummy MOT in partnership with The Functional Gut Clinic, is exploring new pelvic-floor-based approaches to improving bowel control. The study is approved by an independent ethics committee and conducted according to Good Clinical Practice. This research aims to understand how innovative pelvic-floor interventions may help people manage symptoms more effectively.
Patients in England often have more say in their healthcare than they realise. One of the most important and often overlooked rights is the right to choose where you receive certain types of NHS care. Alongside this sits another concept known as shared care, where a specialist and your GP work together to support your ongoing treatment. Both are central to patient-centred care, yet both can sometimes cause confusion or frustration when expectations and clinical responsibilities collide. This guide explains how the right to choose works in practice, when it may or may not apply, what shared care means for your treatment, and why GPs sometimes cannot take on shared-care responsibilities even when a specialist recommends it.
Access to emergency contraception in England has just become easier. From October 2025, women can get the morning-after pill free of charge at most high street pharmacies, without needing to visit a GP or sexual health clinic. The new service, announced by NHS England, marks one of the biggest shifts in reproductive healthcare since the 1960s, expanding the role of community pharmacists and improving access to timely, confidential contraception.
