Virgilio Bento, founder and chief executive of Sword Health (Credit: Sword Health)
Digital Health Pitchfest finalist Surgery Hero has been bought by Sword Health.
The UK-based innovator in prehabilitation digital health reached the scale-up shortlist of the Pitchfest competition held at Rewired in March 2023.
Global AI care firm Sword Health, which offers digital solutions for muscle and joint pain and pelvic health, announced the acquisition of Surgery Hero on 23 January 2025.
Virgilio Bento, founder and chief executive of Sword Health, said: “Acquiring Surgery Hero is another key step in our mission of freeing the world from pain.
“The UK faces a mounting pain crisis, exacerbated by limited access to timely, high-quality care.
“Sword’s AI Care platform removes barriers such as long wait times and travel constraints, providing immediate access and scale to care and ensuring patients receive the support they need when and where they need it.”
Sword Health said that as part of the acquisition it will collaborate with 18 NHS trusts serving 10 million people to implement its AI care model, with the aim of “supporting faster, smoother recoveries while alleviating pressure on the healthcare system”.
Dr Matthew Beatty, chief executive at Surgery Hero, said: “Joining forces with Sword Health allows us to expand the scope of our services and deliver better care to patients.
“Together, we are committed to providing patients with the resources they need to improve their health before surgery and optimise their recovery.”
Beatty was one of 12 fellows to take part in the NHS Innovation Accelerator in 2024.
Surgery Hero’s product will remain part of Sword Health’s offering and its team will be integrated into Sword.
By integrating prehabilitation services, Sword says that it is positioned to offer support from pre-surgery through recovery in the UK, expanding its global footprint.
Meanwhile, finalists for the next Pitchfest were announced in December 2024, with the opportunity to win access to expert advice from CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s CW Innovation team.
The competition will take place at Rewired 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham on 18-19 March 2025.
