The private health sector is "a long way from where we should be" in terms of technology Peter Connor, managing director of Healthcode warned the Private Healthcare Summit.
He urged that insurers and providers collaborate and invest in a central appointment booking system for private patients to match the new NHS E-referral service.
Connor warned that some providers and insurers are sitting back while others try and implement their own online booking services, rather than pooling resources to create a viable equivalent of the NHS' system.
Connor said: "Consumers now expect to find what they want, when it is most convenient for them because a world of different services are now available online, from buying an airline ticket, to booking a tuktuk in Bangalore.
"This shows it's not just wealthy western corporates who can organise and deliver these online solutions.
"Every organisation that understands its market is moving in the same direction, including the NHS which provides a range of digital health services for patients."
He added: "From a healthcare perspective, technology can enhance the experience of patients and it can help our sector operate more efficiently.
"In fact, NHS England's National Director for Patients and Information has predicted that the use of technology and data can help plug NHS funding gap of £22bn by cutting out unnecessary paperwork.
"There is every reason to think that private providers can streamline their administrative processes and cut costs but we should think big and benefit from the economies of scale.
"That means working together to agree information standards and a common technology platform for a central referrals and appointment booking solution for patients."
Further Reading:
Private Healthcare Summit 2015: Self pay growing at PMI's expense - report
