As part of a wider drive to foster innovation in medtech, the NHS has selected five healthcare scientists to develop an app for conditions including sickle cell disease and allergic reactions.
The Clinical Entrepreneurs Programme, run by NHS England, supports NHS workers to work with, and learn from, health and technology industry experts to develop their own innovative ideas. NHS England has confirmed that more NHS staff will be provided with mentoring and other support to improve patient care. Within the first year, Clinical Entrepreneurs recruited to the programme have already launched 50 start-ups, leading to the creation of 344 jobs.
The latest innovations to be supported under the programme include:
- A voice controlled data collection system for sickle cell patients will be developed that can be worn by patients, to monitor their health, including their heart rate, pain score and medication log every day via an app. The app will mean data can be tracked and processed to help inform patient care for this type of blood disease.
- An ‘allergy assist’ app will help allergy sufferers come together to share information and support on their condition and treatment.
- A new online service, sci-connect, will provide tailored online support and resources to undergraduates and junior staff in the early stages of their career who are studying healthcare and biomedical sciences.
Professor Tony Young, national clinical lead for innovation, NHS England, said: “Helping NHS professionals create new and innovative treatments is good for patients and good for our talented staff. 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.”
Professor Sue Hill, chief scientific officer OBE, said: “Giving budding entrepreneurs in the NHS support and space to create new solutions to old problems will keep the NHS at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. I’m delighted to see even more of our staff join the Clinical Entrepreneurs programme, which will see nearly 140 doctors, nurses and scientists benefit from world-class industry expertise, even as they continue to deliver care for patients.”
See Professor Tony Young speak about innovation in the NHS on the BBC Breakfast show:
