NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme

Some of you may know that this year I was enrolled on the NHS Entrepreneur programme this year....but what is it?

NHS England's clinical entrepreneur programme is now in it's 4th year. It is designed to offer opportunities for health care professionals to develop their entrepreneurial (and intrapreneurial) skills. The programme offers the following:

Time for entrepreneurial activity with support to explore appropriate options such as less than full time training, time out from clinical duties
Mentoring and coaching from acclaimed mentors and achievers
Opportunities for placements, internships
Access to industry contacts and funding opportunities
Education via webinars and events which can used as accredited modules towards PGCert, PGDip etc.
Networking events with investors, fellow entrepreneurs and leaders in medicine and industry

Who can apply?

Initially the programme was made for junior doctors but has been opened up to other healthcare professionals including:

Doctors
Dentists
Pharmacists
Midwives
Nurses
Allied Health professionals
Healthcare Scientists

What have I learnt so far?

The progamme has been really refreshing for me so far. It's great to be abe to meet and network with like-minded people throughout healthcare (not just dentists) and learn about subjects like leadership, entrepreneurship and business that I wouldn't normally have access to.

Throughout the year, the programme holds Pitstops every month or so which are day/evening events for those on the programme to network but there are also talks and workshops to help us develop the skills, knowledge and experience to move our innovations forward. For instance, at our most recent Pitstop we learnt about Belbin and what roles we hold in teams.

We are are paired up with a mentor who we meet with regularly to help us move our ideas forward.

What's my Innovation?

If you've read one of my previous blog posts about a weekend I spent with Cambridge Business School, you may already have a clue about my innovation's aspirations.

Without revealing too much as this early stage, I want to apply the skills and knowledge I learnt from setting up the homeless dental service in East London in order to address the oral health of vulnerable groups.

To read more about the current cohort of entrepreneurs click here.

How can you apply?

The applications will open in March. If it's similar to last year, there is an online application form (which included a 60 second elevator pitch, click here to see mine) and then you were invited to face to face interview.

To read more or register your interest click here.

Are you involved in the entrepreneur programme? What have been your highlights? Let me know in the comments below.