Nursebuddy

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, with:

• GDPR compliance

• Encryption and secure hosting

• Role‑based access controls

• Audit trails and accountability logs

• Regular backups and disaster recovery protocols

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

1. Nursebuddy – Platform Features https://nursebuddy.co/platform

2. PitchBook – NurseBuddy Company Profile https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/58601-35

3. F6S – NurseBuddy Reviews and Pricing https://www.f6s.com/software/nursebuddy

4. Trustburn – Nursebuddy Reviews [https://trustburn.com/reviews