The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is now open and is available for all Health and Social Care Northern Ireland staff, allied health professionals and healthcare students, and we want YOU to apply!
Launched in 2016, the programme provides the support, skillset, and financial assistance to innovate and create new medical solutions, leading to improved processes and patient care.
Since 2022 Invest Northern Ireland has funded 12 entrepreneurs; including hospital doctors, GPs, nurses, social workers, dentists, and clinical psychologists. This has led to significant impact in attracting additional funding and new collaborations in health innovation in the region. Run by Anglia Ruskin University the Programme has cultivated a culture of entrepreneurship within the NHS and nurturing a community of forward-thinking healthcare professionals aiming to better the system.
Consultant Nephrologist, Dr Michael Quinn was intrigued how data and digital technology could transform and improve the healthcare system. He founded the company Round Safely, which has developed a SaaS product that uses voice and video technologies to inform and educate clinicians and patients.
“As a pragmatist I became more and more drawn to building and trying to fix things with software. Our mission is to become the platform to handle sensitive information in a way that prioritises patients and makes healthcare feel a bit easier to navigate."
A Consultant Clinical Psychologist within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), Frances Duffy specialises in older people’s mental health, including dementia and post diagnostic support.
She explains, “I heard about the CEP through an email in my Trust and thought it sounded like a good fit for my interests.”
As someone passionate about finding innovate ways to understand and improve the experience of those who need support, Frances developed CLEAR Dementia Care©, an innovative model to help carers understand dementia and respond to changes in behaviour to reduce potential distress.
Key achievements accomplished by Northern Ireland participants include:
- Addressing and developing innovations across mental health, cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, maternity and neo natal
- Several entrepreneurs receiving nominations and awards from Women in Business, Institute of Directors UK, and the Great British Entrepreneur Awards
- One participant registering over 6,000 downloads and users of their app in 178 countries
- One participant having their innovation adopted across 13 NHS trusts and 100 private sector practices, while another achieved adoption in five private sector practices, one NHS trust, two academic institutions and 26 GP Practices
By May 2022, it is estimated that support from CEP has helped to create 882 jobs and generate £37 million in cumulative sales in the UK.
For more information visit https://nhscep.com/
The closing date for applications is 29 October 2023.