Overview
Headquarters: Tampere, Finland
Categories: Supported Living and Home Care Management (Clinical and Non-Clinical Operations)
Core Product: Nursebuddy (home care management platform for carers, providers, families, and clients)
Introduction
Nursebuddy is a home care management platform designed to connect all stakeholders in the home care loop — carers, care providers, families, and clients — through one intuitive, cloud‑based system. Founded in Finland in 2012, Nursebuddy has grown into an internationally recognised solution, used by domiciliary care agencies across Europe and beyond.
The platform was created to address the complexity of home care delivery, where multiple stakeholders need to coordinate schedules, care plans, compliance, and communication in real time. By digitising these processes, Nursebuddy enables providers to deliver safer, more efficient, and person‑centred care, while giving families peace of mind through transparent updates.
Nursebuddy’s mission is to “connect the homecare kylä” (kylä being the Finnish word for “village”), reflecting its belief that it takes a community to deliver great care. Its platform brings together carers, managers, families, and health professionals in one ecosystem, ensuring that everyone has access to the same up‑to‑date information.
User Feedback: Strengths and Weaknesses
Feedback for Nursebuddy comes from Trustburn reviews, app store ratings (4.6/5 across iOS and Android), and case studies. Overall, sentiment is strongly positive, though some caveats are noted.
Positive Feedback
Ease of use and adoption
Carers consistently praise Nursebuddy’s mobile app for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Even staff with limited digital experience report adapting quickly.
Scheduling and rostering
Providers highlight the efficiency of Nursebuddy’s scheduling tools, which include drag‑and‑drop rotas, AI‑powered AutoPilot scheduling, and GPS‑verified check‑ins. These features save time and reduce errors.
Family portal
Families value the secure portal that allows them to see visit details, care notes, and planned schedules. This transparency reduces anxiety and builds trust.
Compliance and reporting
Managers appreciate the platform’s compliance tools, including risk assessments, incident reporting, and audit trails. These features simplify CQC and HIQA inspections.
Carer wellbeing
Nursebuddy has introduced wellbeing surveys and recognition tools (e.g., eCards) to support staff morale. This is praised as a thoughtful addition in a sector facing workforce challenges.
Support and responsiveness
Testimonials highlight Nursebuddy’s responsive support team and regular updates. Users describe the company as collaborative and open to feedback.
Positive impact on efficiency
Providers report significant time savings in rostering, payroll preparation, and compliance reporting. One review noted: “Nursebuddy has completely transformed how I manage my home care business.”
Negative Feedback and Caveats
Reporting depth
Some users note that while standard reports are useful, advanced analytics and custom reporting could be more flexible.
Learning curve for managers
While carers find the app intuitive, managers report that advanced features (e.g., finance, compliance dashboards) require additional training.
Integration scope
Nursebuddy integrates with Xero and CM2000, but interoperability with other third‑party systems (e.g., pharmacy, GP Connect) is limited compared to some competitors.
System reliability
A minority of reviews mention occasional downtime or performance issues, though these are generally resolved quickly.
Cost considerations
Smaller providers note that while Nursebuddy delivers strong value, subscription costs can be a barrier compared to simpler, lower‑cost alternatives.
In summary, user sentiment is strongly positive around usability, scheduling, and transparency, while challenges include reporting flexibility, integration scope, and cost for smaller agencies.
Products and Capabilities
Nursebuddy Platform (Cloud SaaS)
Nursebuddy offers a comprehensive suite of tools covering both clinical and non‑clinical operations. Key features include:
Care Planning
Outcome‑focused, person‑centred care plans
Templates and review reminders
eMAR and body maps
Personalised care records and notes
Scheduling and Rostering
Drag‑and‑drop rota builder
AI‑powered AutoPilot scheduling
Best‑matching carers to clients based on skills and preferences
Double‑up visits and run templates
GPS and QR code check‑ins
Carer Mobile App
SecureVisit GPS verification
Driving instructions and key safe codes
Quick‑fill task responses
Pinnable notes for important information
Offline functionality in low/no signal areas
Compliance and Quality Management
Risk assessments and incident reporting
Notifications centre and real‑time visit alerts
Change logs and document version control
Reporting suite and dashboards
Integration with CM2000
Team Management
Carer compliance tracking with expiration alerts
Holiday, sickness, and shift availability management
SMS reminders and schedule updates
In‑app wellbeing surveys
Finance and Payroll
Payroll with travel, mileage, and waiting time options
Charge rates for different services, roles, or times of day
Customisable invoice templates
Integration with Xero and export to other accounting software
Family Portal
Secure login via web or mobile
Full care package details
Diary feed with visit details and notes
Calendar with planned visits and assigned carers
Messaging for families to leave notes
Interoperability and Standards
Nursebuddy is designed as a comprehensive, interoperable platform, with:
Xero integration: For finance and invoicing
CM2000 integration: For compliance and workforce management
GDPR compliance: With encryption, secure hosting, and audit trails
APIs: Available for bespoke integrations (enterprise tier)
While interoperability with external clinical systems is limited, Nursebuddy’s roadmap includes expanding integrations to support broader digital ecosystems.
Market Position
Nursebuddy operates primarily in Europe, with headquarters in Finland and a growing presence in the UK and Ireland. It serves:
Domiciliary care agencies
Supported living providers
Multi‑site care groups
Families and informal carers
It differentiates itself through:
Community ethos: “Connecting the homecare kylä”
Comprehensive coverage: Care planning, scheduling, compliance, finance, and family engagement in one platform
Carer focus: Mobile app designed to empower carers and support wellbeing
Transparency: Family portal for real‑time updates
Scalability: Suitable for small agencies and large providers alike
Competitors include CarePlanner, everyLIFE Technologies (PASSsystem), and CareLineLive. Nursebuddy positions itself as the intuitive, community‑driven alternative, particularly attractive to providers seeking a balance of usability, transparency, and compliance.
Implementation and Support
Nursebuddy emphasises a collaborative onboarding process, with:
Free demos and trials
Onboarding workshops (2–4 depending on subscription tier)
Online learning centre and searchable help hub
Live chat support with AI assistant “Buddy” and escalation to human support
Video support appointments and training sessions
Providers report smooth implementation, though some note that advanced configuration requires time and support.
Security and Data Protection
Nursebuddy prioritises data security through GDPR compliance, ensuring sensitive health and personal information is managed lawfully and responsibly. The platform employs encryption and secure hosting to protect data in transit and at rest, while role‑based access controls restrict visibility to authorised users only. In addition, audit trails and accountability logs provide transparency over system activity, supporting governance and accountability.
To further strengthen resilience, Nursebuddy implements regular backups and disaster recovery protocols, ensuring services can be restored quickly and reliably in the event of disruption. Together, these measures create a robust security framework that supports compliance, operational continuity, and confidence in the protection of sensitive care data.
Conclusion
Nursebuddy is a leading European home care management platform, offering a comprehensive, cloud‑based solution that connects carers, providers, families, and clients in one ecosystem. Its strength lies in unifying care planning, scheduling, compliance, finance, and family engagement into one intuitive system.
User feedback consistently highlights ease of use, scheduling efficiency, and transparency, while challenges include reporting flexibility, integration scope, and cost for smaller agencies.
For domiciliary care providers seeking a community‑driven, intuitive platform that empowers carers, engages families, and simplifies compliance, Nursebuddy represents a credible and innovative option. Its emphasis on usability, transparency, and carer wellbeing positions it as a key player in the future of digital home care.
References
Nursebuddy – Platform Features https://nursebuddy.co/platform
PitchBook – NurseBuddy Company Profile https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/58601-35
F6S – NurseBuddy Reviews and Pricing https://www.f6s.com/software/nursebuddy
Trustburn – Nursebuddy Reviews [https://trustburn.com/reviews
