In our latest #OurEntrepreneurs profile we meet cohort 7 Clinical Entrepreneur Frank Davis, Medical Student.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am an incoming specialised foundation doctor at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton. I enjoy playing football and have captained the medical school’s team. I also host ‘The Surgical Society Podcast’ where I interview influential surgeons. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive and I’m passionate about developing solutions from the inside of the NHS.
Name: Frank Davis, Cohort 7.
Occupation: Medical Student.
Organisation: Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Why did you apply to the programme and what are you looking forward to?
I found out about the programme through word of mouth from a colleague who had found it extremely beneficial. To be a part of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneurial Programme is an incredible opportunity. I can be confident that by the end of this year I will be a much-improved entrepreneur and innovator.
Reading about the fantastic stories of previous Clinical Entrepreneurs has inspired me to follow in their footsteps. The Pit stops and mentorship has given me significant motivation to continue to push for success with my innovation.
Tell us about your innovation
At IGNAZ Technology we have created ‘UnderPressure’ which is an imaging and record keeping software for pressure ulcers. Following the Flynn report*, which reported horrific findings regarding poor monitoring of pressure ulcers. It lead to patients dying from secondary complications such as sepsis. It costs the NHS £8.3 billion pounds a year, that cost is made up of clinician time, excess nights in hospital and litigation.
The current monitoring of pressure ulcers has been described by the Head of Wound innovation as ‘barbaric’. We have built an easy to use solution that is loved by both the customer and the user.
What motivates you?
I am inspired by stories of previous successes. To be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about improving patient care as well as the system is both inspiring and motivating. I believe innovation allows you have an impact on patient care that extends well beyond the hospital you work in and the years of your career.
What are your ambitions for the next year?
I’d also like to see NHS management trust their clinicians to be innovators and continue to encourage entrepreneurism within the health system. For me personally, it would be extremely rewarding if I could see UnderPressure begin to make a difference to patients across the country and rolled out into multiple hospitals. Currently, we have raised £76,000 pounds but we would love that number to be higher so we can continue to strive to make the best possible product for patients.
Why do you think innovation is important in healthcare?
Without innovation we are stationary and stagnant. We all have a duty to provide the best healthcare possible to our patients and this is something that thanks to innovation is always changing and improving.
How can we find out more?
You can find IGNAZ Technology on LinkedIn or follow myself Frank Davis on LinkedIn or Twitter as I post and tweet updates regularly.
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE THROUGH INNOVATION
*References: