Clean Slate Clinic
- Australia
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Approximately 9.9% of Australians, about 1.6 million people, who drank in the last year may struggle with an alcohol dependence that requires medical intervention. In 2021, 131,000 Australians received treatment for this condition; 11,700 of those treatments included clinical detox. Medicated detoxification is critical for patient safety because 6-10% of dependent drinkers risk potentially fatal seizures when they abruptly stop alcohol consumption. As such, most of these treatments occur in in-patient settings.
Every year in Australia over 222,000 healthy years of life (DALYs) are lost due to alcohol use. It is the leading risk factor for disease burden in men, and the second leading risk factor in women & Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, with 350 deaths of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders in 2018 attributable to alcohol use. The estimated annual social and economic cost to government and the nation is over $66bn, with tangible costs of over $12bn ($4bn in workplace costs; $3.1bn in crime; $2.8bn in healthcare costs; and $2.4bn in road traffic crashes).
The gold standard clinical protocol for a medicated detoxification involves transitioning a person from daily alcohol consumption to taking a daily dose of benzodiazepines. This protocol carries risks associated with patients taking benzodiazepines and then relapsing with alcohol. Therefore, most alcohol detoxifications historically take place in tertiary settings, where the patient can be monitored and doesn’t have access to alcohol. This barrier to accessing in-patient detox beds means that alcohol use disorder has one of the lowest treatment rates for any mental health condition globally. Furthermore, once an individual completes a successful in-patient detox, they often return to the environments that trigger conditions more likely to cause relapse. Studies suggest that 40-60% of patients completing treatment for alcohol use disorder return to similar patterns of use within one year following treatment. There is a significant health equity gap for patients needing alcohol detoxification services to access such services at home, rather than through in-patient care. Studies also indicate a strong link between alcohol use disorder and co-morbidity with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
For patients with a history of seizures or complex co-morbidities, completing their detox in a hospital environment is necessary. This applies to roughly 15% of the population requiring this treatment. The remaining 85% of patients, who don’t require in-patient detox, can complete the treatment from their home. Studies show that primary-care-led detoxification is not only safe with high rates of completion but also leads to better long-term outcomes and is more cost-effective than inpatient treatment5. Proper assessment and selection can enable approximately 85% of those with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) to withdraw at home safely and effectively, learning to manage triggers and stress within their own surroundings, which contributes to the observed higher success rates. Home detox, potentially supported by telehealth, mitigates geographical and stigma-based barriers, fostering continuity of care.
The solution that Clean Slate Clinic proposes is a comprehensive, GP-led Telehealth home alcohol or drug detox program, tailored specifically for the people who live in remote/regional Australia. This innovative model of care is designed to extend specialised detox services into the homes of individuals who may otherwise struggle to access traditional healthcare facilities.
Technical Aspects of the Solution:
Intake and Assessment - web app and AI-assisted support
The program begins with an online preparation stage, where potential participants complete a preliminary screening questionnaire focusing on their Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) use, past withdrawal experiences, and motivation for recovery. This step is crucial for ensuring that participants are ready and suitable for a home detox program. Moreover, to take advantage of the client’s motivation we are piloting an AI-assistant program to talk through the patient’s questions between signing up and the first nurse call.
A comprehensive online assessment follows, capturing demographic details, substance use history, and mental and physical health status through a technology-enabled platform. This facilitates a nuanced understanding of each participant's needs and tailors the detox plan accordingly. By the end of this project, we will have expanded our AI program to better support our clinical staff in their assessment.
Readiness and Suitability Evaluation:
We have built bespoke software that schedules and manages the best appointment time for the client with one of our GPs and nurses via telehealth to minimise coordination time. Following this, the patient’s digital record then triggers getting the necessary blood tests and tracks the closest pharmacy to ensure the patient has access to the medications they will need.
Withdrawal Phase Management:
A tailored care plan is developed, focusing on risk reduction and individualised support, including education for the participant and their support person, strategies for managing withdrawal symptoms, and a care plan to prevent relapse.
Through the detox, a daily telehealth check-in is delivered by one of our nursing staff, who monitors medication adherence with a Clean Slate Clinic-provided breathalyser. Our nursing team work with both the client and their support person to deliver the best standard in psycho-social support.
Post-Withdrawal Care and Support:
After the detox phase, a second doctor consultation via telehealth discusses outcomes and prescribes relapse-prevention pharmacotherapies. Ongoing nurse-led follow-ups ensure the participant continues to receive support, adjusting the management plan as necessary and facilitating linkage to external care services.
The Clean Slate Clinic initiative is designed to serve individuals in regional and remote areas who are disproportionately affected by alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Compared to their urban counterparts, residents in these areas are more likely to consume alcohol daily (8% vs. 5%) and at levels that pose a long-term risk of harm (21% vs. 15%). The geographic and social isolation inherent to these areas exacerbates the risk and complicates access to treatment, with over a quarter of treatment episodes requiring clients to travel an hour or longer—compared to about 1 in 10 clients in major cities.
The vision of our work is to build a service that makes it as easy to detox from alcohol or drugs in regional Australia as it is in the city.
Our team at Clean Slate Clinic is uniquely poised to deliver effective solutions tailored to the specific needs of regional and remote communities, thanks to our intimate understanding and close connections within these areas. The distinctiveness of our approach lies in the deep integration of our team members’ personal and professional experiences with the lived realities of the populations we aim to serve.
Dr. Chris Davis, our Chief Medical Officer is an Addiction Consultant who has developed innovative detox models in both the UK and Australia, his work has always prioritized adaptability to the needs of local communities. His tenure at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and direct involvement in community and home settings have endowed him with a profound comprehension of the challenges faced by those in remote areas. This expertise is crucial in shaping services that are not only effective but also culturally sensitive and regionally appropriate.
Chris Raine, our co-founder, further amplifies our team's alignment with our target communities. With a background in creating one of the largest online platforms for alcohol behavior change, he has demonstrated exceptional skill in engaging diverse populations, including those in isolated regions. His experiences ensure that our digital health strategies are inclusive and accessible, overcoming geographical barriers to reach those most in need.
Pia Clinton-Tarestad, our CEO, brings a dual perspective as both a health economist and someone with personal experience in overcoming alcohol dependence. Her leadership ensures that our services are designed not just with empathy but also with economic sustainability in mind. This balance is crucial in maintaining the viability of our programs and extending essential services to underserved populations.
The involvement of our community in the design and ongoing adaptation of our services is a cornerstone of our strategy. Our solutions have been developed through continuous dialogue with the communities we serve, ensuring that their input, ideas, and agendas are not only heard but are central to our project development. This participatory approach guarantees that our interventions are well-received and genuinely beneficial to the community members.
Our telehealth model exemplifies our commitment to transcending traditional barriers in healthcare delivery. This model not only allows us to provide continuous, accessible detox and recovery services but also ensures that these services are scalable and adaptable to other health challenges faced by these communities. By leveraging existing digital infrastructures, we can rapidly scale our operations without the significant costs associated with physical healthcare facilities.
Moreover, our cost-effective approach attracts the support of healthcare funders and insurers, making it financially feasible to expand our services without sacrificing the quality of care. This aspect is crucial in a landscape where economic pressures on healthcare systems are ever-increasing.
- Increase capacity and resilience of health systems, including workforce, supply chains, and other infrastructure.
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
- 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 10. Reduced Inequalities
- Growth
Clean Slate Clinic is at the growth stage based on substantial achievements and proven effectiveness through our structured development phases: Validation, Clinical Pilot, and Health Insurer Pilot. Each stage has contributed to refining our service model and demonstrating its viability, safety, and demand among the target population. Here’s a breakdown of what we have accomplished so far:
Validation Phase (November 2020 - March 2021):
- During this initial phase, we developed and tested the patient pathway for alcohol withdrawal. This involved thorough interviews with former clients to gather insights and feedback.
- We aligned our procedures with established clinical guidelines to ensure the highest standards of care.
- The service was piloted with a small group, including friends and family, to test its effectiveness and safety in a controlled environment. This early testing was crucial to validate our approach before wider application.
Clinical Pilot (2021-2022):
- Funded by Clean Slate Clinic and three Primary Health Networks (PHNs), this phase involved a broader implementation within the community.
- The PHNs promoted the study within their networks, using various channels such as newsletters, local forums, and social media, ensuring wide visibility and participation.
- Participants underwent a 28-day observational study that included baseline assessments, GP-led Home Detox, daily nursing check-ins, and post-detox follow-ups. This comprehensive monitoring allowed us to gather detailed data on the effectiveness and patient outcomes of our model.
- The study received approval from the Human Ethics Review Committee of the Sydney Local Health District, affirming its ethical standards and compliance.
Health Insurer Pilot:
- Funded by Bupa for up to 300 customers, this phase was designed to evaluate the acceptability and cost-effectiveness of our service on a larger scale.
- Preliminary data from the first 100 clients treated showed net cash savings to Bupa of nearly $1 million, demonstrating significant financial benefits alongside health outcomes.
- This pilot is still ongoing, with evaluations set to support a planned national rollout in 2024.
To date, Clean Slate Clinic has supported over 550 patients through our detox services, with 40% opting to pay privately, indicating strong market demand and a viable financial model. Our partnership with Bupa and the extension to 300 clients underscore the trust and potential scalability of our services. Positive customer feedback and robust demand from prospective users highlight the effectiveness of our approach and the critical need it addresses in the community.
In May we completed our seed round investment of $1.8m in Australia to support our growth across the country.
Clean Slate Clinic faces several distinct barriers in scaling and effectively delivering our solution to the regional and remote communities of Australia. These barriers span financial, technical, legal, and cultural dimensions, and we are optimistic that participation in the Solve program can provide crucial support in these areas.
Financial Barriers:
- Sustained Funding: While initial pilots have been funded and shown success, securing ongoing funding to scale and maintain operations across broader areas remains a challenge.
- Solution: We hope Solve can connect us with funding partners who are interested in supporting healthcare innovations, specifically in underserved regions. Additionally, access to Solve’s network of philanthropists and corporate partners could help us explore new funding models, such as impact investments or grants tailored to health service innovation.
Technical Barriers:
- Advanced Telehealth Capabilities: Expanding our telehealth services to ensure robust, secure, and accessible platforms requires significant technical enhancements and expertise.
- Solution: Technical mentorship and partnerships facilitated by Solve could help us leverage cutting-edge technology, ensuring our services are reliable and scalable. This includes assistance in integrating AI-driven analytics to monitor treatment effectiveness and patient engagement remotely.
Legal Barriers:
- Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the complex health service regulations and ensuring compliance across different jurisdictions as we expand is critical.
- Solution: Legal expertise within the Solve network could guide us through regulatory challenges, particularly around telehealth and cross-jurisdictional healthcare delivery, ensuring our services adhere to all applicable laws and standards.
Cultural Barriers:
- Community Trust and Engagement: Building trust and effectively engaging with First Nations communities and other local groups is essential but challenging due to historical and cultural sensitivities.
- Solution: Solve’s network of cultural advisors and community engagement experts could assist us in developing more nuanced, respectful, and effective engagement strategies. This support would be invaluable in tailoring our approach to the diverse cultural contexts of the communities we serve.
Market Barriers:
- Partnerships and Network Expansion: Establishing partnerships with local healthcare providers and integrating our services into existing healthcare frameworks is essential for scalability.
- Solution: Solve can help connect us with healthcare networks, potential partners, and experts in community health planning, facilitating integrations and collaborations that are crucial for our expansion.
- Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
- Human Capital (e.g. sourcing talent, board development)
- Legal or Regulatory Matters
- Product / Service Distribution (e.g. delivery, logistics, expanding client base)
- Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design)
Imagine a shift in approach where, instead of requiring clients to travel to care facilities or clinicians relocating to remote areas, we leverage technology to transform every home into a primary care setting. Clean Slate Clinic is pioneering this innovation by adapting the traditionally high-risk clinical process of alcohol and drug detoxification—previously managed only in tertiary institutions—to a safe and effective home-based care protocol.
This initiative not only promises to enhance access to essential care directly from the comfort of one's home but also aims to revolutionize the delivery of primary care. By successfully implementing this model for substance misuse, we aspire to be at the forefront of a paradigm shift that brings primary care directly to where it is most needed and can be most effective. Our solution is transformative in several key ways that not only redefine how services are delivered but also aim to shift the broader healthcare landscape:
Telehealth Integration
- Sophisticated Platform: Leveraging a state-of-the-art telehealth platform, including AI-enhanced chatbots and a dedicated web application, Clean Slate Clinic delivers comprehensive detox and recovery programs directly to patients' homes. This technology enables continuous patient monitoring and support, crucial for the high-risk process of detoxification.
Digital Records and Interoperability
- Seamless Integration: Our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing healthcare IT infrastructures, such as electronic medical records and pharmacy systems, ensuring that patient care is coordinated and data-driven.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
- Home-Based Services: By providing services directly to patients’ homes, our solution addresses significant barriers related to distance, mobility, and economic constraints. This model is particularly transformative for patients in rural or remote areas who previously had limited access to specialized detox services.
Patient-Centered Care
- Continuous Improvement: Our focus on improving client outcomes is exemplified by our commitment to enhancing the patient experience through continuous feedback and adaptation of services based on Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and patient feedback.
Security and Privacy
- Data Protection: Adhering to stringent healthcare data protection laws, we implement advanced security measures to safeguard patient information, ensuring compliance and building trust.
Scalability and Sustainability
- Cost-Effective Telehealth Model: The telehealth model’s cost-effectiveness and minimal physical infrastructure requirements allow for rapid scaling across different regions and healthcare markets, potentially extending beyond substance misuse treatment.
Broader Market Impact
By transforming each home into a potential primary care setting, Clean Slate Clinic not only addresses the immediate need for accessible detox services but also sets a precedent for how primary care can be delivered in the future. This model has the potential to:
- Reduce Healthcare Disparities: Make high-quality care accessible irrespective of geographic location.
- Ease Burden on Tertiary Facilities: Manage treatable conditions effectively at home, reducing the load on hospital-based services.
- Attract and Retain Healthcare Professionals: Reduce the need for relocation by enabling professionals to provide care remotely, thus maintaining a stable workforce in healthcare.
This innovative approach not only meets the immediate needs of individuals requiring detox services but also catalyzes a broader transformation in the healthcare industry, making it more equitable, efficient, and accessible.
To effectively describe the expected impact of the Clean Slate Clinic's approach to alcohol and drug detoxification services in rural and remote areas, we can lay out a clear theory of change. This framework will help illustrate how specific activities are logically linked to the intended outputs and outcomes, backed by evidence from our past experiences and third-party research.
Theory of Change for Clean Slate Clinic
Activities:
- Implementing Telehealth Services: Utilize advanced telehealth platforms, including AI-enhanced tools and mobile applications, to deliver comprehensive detox and recovery programs directly to patients' homes.
- Integrating with Local Healthcare Systems: Ensure our digital tools are compatible with existing healthcare IT systems for seamless data sharing and service coordination.
- Providing Tailored Patient Support: Offer personalized care plans based on individual assessments, continuous monitoring, and adjustment of treatment protocols.
- Community Engagement and Education: Conduct community outreach and education programs to reduce stigma and increase awareness about the availability and efficacy of home-based detox solutions.
Outputs:
- Increased Access to Detox Services: Patients in remote areas access high-quality detox services without the need to travel.
- Enhanced Patient Engagement and Compliance: Through continuous remote support and personalized care, patient engagement in their own treatment processes increases.
- Improved Coordination of Care: Seamless integration with local healthcare providers enhances the continuity and quality of care.
- Reduced Stigma Related to AOD Treatment: Community engagement efforts increase understanding and reduce stigma, encouraging more individuals to seek help.
Outcomes:
- Reduced Substance Abuse Rates: With easier access and personalized care, more individuals complete detox programs successfully, leading to lower substance abuse rates in targeted regions.
- Improved Public Health: Reduction in substance abuse contributes to overall better health outcomes, reducing the burden on local healthcare systems.
- Increased Healthcare Capacity: By relieving pressure on tertiary care facilities and integrating services with local healthcare providers, the overall capacity and effectiveness of healthcare services improve in remote areas.
Long-Term Impact:
- Sustained Behavioral Change: Continued support and monitoring help maintain the gains from detox programs, leading to sustained behavioral change among patients.
- Healthcare System Transformation: Demonstrating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of home-based care models prompts wider adoption, transforming healthcare delivery in rural and remote areas.
Evidence to Support the Theory of Change
- Telehealth Efficacy: Studies, such as those by the American Telemedicine Association, have shown that telehealth can effectively deliver complex healthcare services like mental health and addiction treatment, improving patient outcomes.
- Impact Evaluations: Our pilot programs funded by Bupa demonstrated net savings and high patient satisfaction, providing quantitative evidence of the cost-effectiveness and acceptability of our model.
- Community Feedback: Interviews and feedback from our target population during community engagement initiatives have highlighted the demand for more accessible care and the importance of combating stigma.
Clean Slate Clinic is committed to transforming the way alcohol and drug detoxification services are delivered to rural and remote communities, aiming to make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of individuals living in these underserved areas. Our impact goals are designed to be measurable and transformative, focusing on improving access to healthcare, reducing substance abuse rates, and enhancing overall public health outcomes.
Impact Goals:
Increase Access to Alcohol and Drug Detox Services in Remote Areas
- Goal: Ensure that 90% of individuals living in target regions have access to effective detox services within their own homes by 2025.
- Indicators:
- Percentage of the population in targeted remote areas within 50 km of an operational telehealth service.
- Number of telehealth interventions conducted annually.
Reduce Substance Abuse Rates Among Target Populations
- Goal: Achieve a 50% reduction in reported cases of alcohol and drug misuse in the serviced populations by 2028.
- Indicators:
- Pre- and post-treatment substance abuse levels as reported through patient self-reports and clinical assessments.
- Reduction in emergency room visits related to substance abuse.
Improve Health Outcomes Related to Substance Misuse
- Goal: Reduce health complications associated with substance misuse by 40% in the treated population by 2030.
- Indicators:
- Hospital admissions related to alcohol and drug misuse before and after the intervention.
- Changes in health-related quality of life scores post-treatment, using standardized health surveys.
Measurement of Progress:
Data Collection Methods:
- Patient Data: Collect data through our telehealth platform, including usage rates, patient satisfaction scores, and completion rates of detox programs.
- Health Records: Utilize integrated electronic health records to track patient outcomes over time, including hospital visits and readmission rates related to substance misuse.
- Surveys and Feedback: Conduct regular surveys with patients and local healthcare providers to assess the effectiveness of the services and identify areas for improvement.
Analytical Methods:
- Statistical Analysis: Perform regular statistical analyses to determine the significance of observed changes in substance abuse rates and health outcomes.
- Data Review Sessions: Hold quarterly data review meetings with stakeholders to assess progress towards goals and refine strategies as necessary.
Reporting:
- Impact Reports: Produce annual impact reports detailing progress towards each goal, supported by data and narrative accounts of how the services are being received in the community.
- Stakeholder Updates: Provide regular updates to funders, local healthcare partners, and community leaders to maintain transparency and foster ongoing collaboration.
The core technology that powers the Clean Slate Clinic's solution is an integrated telehealth platform that leverages several tools to provide comprehensive, accessible, and effective care for individuals dealing with alcohol dependence, especially in remote and underserved areas. Our technology suite combines web applications, AI, secure messaging, and telehealth consultations to create a seamless care pathway from initial screening to long-term recovery support. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how each component works:
Intake and Assessment Tools
- Web Application: Patients begin their journey with a self-assessment on our website, which is designed to screen for alcohol dependence. This web app uses a user-friendly interface to guide users through a series of questions about their Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) use, past withdrawal experiences, and motivation for recovery.
- AI-Assisted Support: To enhance engagement and provide immediate support, we are piloting an AI assistant that interacts with potential participants between their sign-up and the first nurse call. This AI tool answers questions, provides preliminary advice, and helps maintain the motivation of the patients.
Workflow Integration for Healthcare Providers
- Secure Messaging and Updates: For healthcare practitioners (GPs), our platform allows for easy referrals through secure messaging. We maintain regular communication with the referring GPs, providing updates on patient progress and care recommendations, ensuring a collaborative approach.
Telehealth Services
- Remote Consultations and Monitoring: Following initial assessments, appointments are scheduled with our GPs and nurses via telehealth. This system minimizes coordination time and allows for timely, efficient medical consultations and follow-ups.
- Breathalyser Monitoring: During the detox phase, patients undergo daily check-ins via telehealth, where adherence to medication is monitored using a Clean Slate Clinic-provided breathalyser. This technology ensures accurate tracking of the detox process and allows for immediate adjustments by healthcare providers.
Post-Withdrawal Care
- Continuous Support and Adjustments: After the detox, patients continue to receive support through nurse-led follow-ups via telehealth, which includes discussions about outcomes with doctors and adjustments to the care plan based on ongoing assessments. This phase may also include the prescription of relapse-prevention pharmacotherapies.
Software for Coordination
- Custom Software: We have developed bespoke software that efficiently schedules and manages appointments, organizes necessary blood tests, and identifies the closest pharmacy for medication pickup, ensuring patients have seamless access to required resources.
Evidence and Data-Driven Approach
- Data Integration and Security: All patient data, from intake through ongoing care, is securely stored and managed within our integrated platform, ensuring privacy and compliance with healthcare data protection laws. This data is invaluable for refining treatment protocols and enhancing overall care delivery.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Behavioral Technology
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Australia
- United States
Full-time staff:
- Chief Executive (1.0 FTE)
- Operations Manager (1.0 FTE)
- Clinical Admin (1.0 FTE)
- Product and Implementation Lead (1.0 FTE)
- Technology Lead (1.0 FTE)
- Junior Developer (1.0 FTE)
- Partnerships Lead (1.0 FTE)
- Total Full-time Staff: 7 FTE
- Head of Partnerships (0.2 FTE)
- Medical Director (0.2 FTE)
- Lead Nurse (0.2 FTE)
- Total Part-time Staff: 0.6 FTE
- Clinical Contractors & Casual Employees: Approximately 7 FTE, Headcount 25
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At our organization, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not just core values but essential components of our operational and strategic frameworks. We recognize that a diverse team brings a multitude of perspectives and experiences that are crucial in shaping responsive and effective services. Here’s how we ensure that our team is diverse, minimizes barriers to opportunity for all staff, and fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment:
Leadership and Team Composition- Female Leadership: As a female-founded organization with a female CEO who is also the largest shareholder, we actively promote female leadership within the healthcare sector. Our leadership structure reflects our commitment to gender diversity and empowering women in roles traditionally dominated by men.
- Ethnic and Cultural Diversity: Over 50% of our team comprises females, and we have significant representation from different ethnic backgrounds, including a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Operations Manager and an Aboriginal General Practitioner. This diversity ensures that our team can effectively understand and address the varied needs of the communities we serve.
- Inclusive Hiring Practices: We employ inclusive hiring practices that ensure candidates from all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued. Our recruitment processes are designed to be transparent, equitable, and free from biases related to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and other identity markers.
- Professional Development: We invest in continuous professional development focused on diversity and inclusivity. This includes training sessions that enhance our team’s understanding of DEI principles and how to apply them in day-to-day operations and interactions with each other and our clients.
- Specialized Care and Partnerships: Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Chris Davis, is a recognized leader in LGBTIQA+ healthcare, with over a decade of experience in providing specialized services to this population. His expertise underscores our commitment to serving marginalized communities effectively.
- Collaboration with Community Organizations: We have established partnerships with ACON and other community organizations focused on supporting LGBTIQA+ populations. These partnerships not only extend our care reach but also enrich our team’s capabilities and understanding of specific health care challenges faced by these communities.
- Reflecting Community Diversity: We aim for our team to mirror the wide spectrum of experiences and backgrounds of the individuals we serve. This alignment helps in building trust and empathy, key components of effective healthcare delivery.
- Eliminating Systematic Barriers: We are committed to identifying and eliminating systemic barriers that might prevent the full participation of marginalized groups. This involves regular reviews of our policies, practices, and feedback mechanisms to ensure they align with equitable principles.
Clean Slate Clinic operates on a business model focused on providing comprehensive twelve-month telehealth programs for detox and recovery from substance abuse. Our approach is grounded in accessibility, affordability, and evidence-based treatment, catering to both public and private clients through a tiered pricing strategy. This model ensures a broad reach, catering to various economic segments and enhancing the potential for widespread impact.
Key Products and Services:- Twelve-Month Telehealth Detox and Recovery Program: This service includes initial assessments, regular check-ins, and ongoing support tailored to individual needs, delivered via our advanced telehealth platform.
- Value-Added Services: To enhance client engagement and retention, we offer additional services such as access to specialized content, community support features, and on-demand consultations with our clinical team.
- Private Clients: Charged $3,500 with an option for a 12-month payment plan of $320 per month. This plan is designed to improve affordability and allows clients to offset program costs against savings from reduced substance use.
- Public Clients: Priced between $2,500 to $3,000, making it accessible to a broader audience who might otherwise be unable to afford such services.
- Once-Off Payment: Clients pay for the twelve-month program upfront, which constitutes our primary revenue source.
- Recurring Revenue: Through ongoing, value-added services and add-ons, we create opportunities for recurring income that enhance the sustainability of our business model.
- B2B (Business-to-Business): We aim to expand our partnerships with Private Health Insurers (PHIs) and government bodies. Our program offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional inpatient detox services, with PHIs such as Bupa already on board. The potential for scaling up is significant, especially given the high readmission rates and associated costs of traditional services.
- B2C (Business-to-Consumer): Targeting self-referred private patients and families in metro areas seeking discreet, affordable care solutions. As our program costs significantly less than traditional inpatient services and demonstrates improved outcomes, it appeals to individuals spending substantial amounts monthly on substances.
- Federal and State Contracts: By securing more Primary Health Network (PHN) contracts and scaling up to national primary health contracts, we aim to deepen our engagement with government healthcare systems.
- International Expansion: Once established in domestic markets, exploring opportunities in international markets will be a key growth vector.
- Client Outcome Tracking: Monitoring recovery rates, reductions in substance use, and overall health improvements.
- Cost Savings Analysis: Evaluating the financial impact for both clients and insurers, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of our program.
- Client and Partner Feedback: Using feedback to continually refine and enhance service offerings.
- Organizations (B2B)
To achieve financial sustainability, the Clean Slate Clinic employs a multi-faceted revenue strategy that leverages our unique position as the only provider of fully telehealth-delivered withdrawal and recovery services across every state and territory in Australia. Our approach combines revenue from service contracts, private payments, partnerships with insurance providers, and investment funding. Here's a detailed breakdown of our financial strategy and evidence of our success so far:
Revenue StreamsService Contracts with Governments: We are actively pursuing service contracts with government health departments and Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to expand our reach and secure stable funding sources. These contracts are based on our ability to deliver cost-effective services that reduce the strain on public health systems.
Private Patient Fees: We offer tiered pricing for our telehealth programs, making them accessible to a broad range of clients. This includes a full payment upfront or a 12-month payment plan, which has proven attractive for private clients seeking flexible payment options.
Partnerships with Private Health Insurers (PHIs): By demonstrating cost savings and improved patient outcomes, we have begun securing partnerships with major insurers like Bupa. These partnerships provide a recurring revenue stream and help us tap into a larger customer base.
Investment Capital: To support our rapid growth and technological advancements, we have successfully raised funds through investment rounds. Most recently, our seed investment round raised $1.8 million at a $7 million pre-money valuation, reflecting strong investor confidence in our business model and growth potential.
FY24 Forecast: We anticipate revenues of $1.9 million, based on existing contracts and the current uptake by private patients. Our projected costs are $1.6 million, excluding investments planned for further growth. This projection ensures that our revenue streams cover our operating costs, contributing to our financial sustainability.
Long-Term Aspirations: Our goal is to grow into a $50 million business within the next five years, aiming for annual revenues of $20-25 million and an EBITDA of approximately $8 million per year. This growth will be driven by expanding our service offerings, enhancing our technology platform, and increasing market penetration.
Contractual Success: Our revenue forecasts are backed by signed contracts with health departments and insurers, securing a steady inflow of funds and validating our service model.
Independent Validation: Our service efficacy and model have been independently validated by an evaluation conducted by Sydney University, which supports our claims of providing world-class services and contributes to our credibility in securing contracts and investments.
Investment Funding: The recent seed funding round not only provides capital to fuel our growth but also serves as a testament to the faith that investors have in our business model and market potential.