NHS chooses next batch of entrepreneurs for support

The NHS has now chosen 138 clinical entrepreneurs to design and deliver new technological solutions and innovations in healthcare, including the appointment of five healthcare scientists working on addressing conditions such as sickle cell disease and allergic reactions.

The Clinical Entrepreneurs Programme supports NHS workers to work with and learn from leading health and technology industry experts to develop their own innovative ideas, the idea being to accelerate their development and uptake across the health service.

Launched in 2016, the first year of the programme has seen the launch of fifty start-ups, and clinical entrepreneurs have been awarded over £3.7 million of public sector funding in the form of grants and seed-funding while raising over £48 million from the private sector.

The latest innovations chosen for the next round of the annual programme include: a wearable, voice controlled data collection app that will monitor patient health for better care; the Allergy Assist App, designed to help allergy sufferers come together to share information and support on their condition and treatment; and a new online service, sci-connect, that will provide tailored online support and resources to undergraduates and junior staff studying healthcare and biomedical sciences.

"Helping NHS professionals create new and innovative treatments is good for patients and good for our talented staff," said Professor Tony Young, national clinical lead for innovation at NHS England.

"Frontline workers have a unique insight into patients’ experiences and supporting all our staff to develop and deliver their ideas for better care will mean better outcomes for patients."