How FOLA Works
Browse, shortlist, send one request and get introduced. The same five steps for everyone, and nobody's contact details are ever published.
On iPhone, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen, to install FOLA.
Six Steps, Every Time
1Browse and shortlist
Every listing has an Add to Shortlist button. The basket at the bottom right keeps count.
2One kind at a time
A shortlist holds one kind of listing at a time, so one request covers one kind of need.
3Send one request
A short form, made for that kind of shortlist. No account and no password.
4Confirm with the emailed code
Six digits, ten minutes, five tries. Nothing reaches FOLA before the code.
5Introduced on WhatsApp
A FOLA coordinator introduces you within one business day. Contact details pass only then.
6You deal directly
Bookings, cover, orders and payments are between you and them.
Your Path
Find yourself in the table and follow the link.
| Who you are | What you do | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | Browse practices, shortlist up to five, send one request, get introduced. | Start |
| Practices needing cover | Browse locums, shortlist, send one request, get introduced. | Start |
| Families | Browse home care, shortlist, tell FOLA who needs care, get introduced. | Start |
| Care travellers | Tell FOLA once, a coordinator lines up providers, transport and a stay. | Start |
| Practices buying | Shortlist suppliers or post a request, get introduced. | Start |
| Suppliers | Answer Open Requests with your listing reference, get introduced. | Start |
What FOLA Does, and Does Not
FOLA is not a hospital, clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, insurer or healthcare professional. The provider you choose is responsible for diagnosis, treatment, consent to care and clinical records.
| Activity | FOLA does | FOLA does not |
|---|---|---|
| Finding providers | Listings with location, services, the provider's own indicative fees and a mark | Call any provider the best, or recommend treatment |
| Care requests | Admin details and dates, sent privately to the practices you shortlisted | Diagnose symptoms or decide what treatment you need |
| Locums | Introduce practices to locums who suit their dates | Employ locums or set their pay |
| Home and nursing care | Introduce families to providers who visit or live in | Provide or supervise the care |
| Care Travel | Coordinate admin, options, introductions and travel partners | Recommend treatment or read medical records |
| Supply | Introduce practices to suppliers, and suppliers to Open Requests | Clinically approve any device or product, or run tenders |
| Money | Charge listing fees and supplier commission, confirmed in writing | Hold treatment money or order payments |
| Pharmacy | Nothing | Dispense, prescribe or trade prescription medicines |
Fees in One Place
Stated before anything is charged. Paying never changes a mark.
| Who | Fee |
|---|---|
| Patients | Free. Browsing, shortlisting and asking for an introduction cost patients nothing. |
| Practices | USD 28 a year, one flat fee for the listing. FOLA never charges or pays anything per patient. |
| Suppliers | USD 150 a year to list, plus a commission on every order you win through FOLA. Prefer not to pay upfront? The listing fee is taken from your first order instead, at USD 300. The commission rate is agreed with you in writing when you list. |
| Locums | The listing fee for locums is confirmed with you before anything is charged. |
| Home and nursing care | The listing fee for home and nursing care providers is confirmed with you before anything is charged. |
| Care Travel partners | The listing fee for Care Travel partners is confirmed with you before anything is charged. |