The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is an initiative designed to empower healthcare professionals by equipping them with the commercial skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to drive innovation and enhance patient care within the National Health Service (NHS). As part of the programme expansion, two exceptional clinical entrepreneur have been carefully selected to play pivotal roles in widening participation and raising awareness of the CEP as programme ambassadors.
Gemma Poole, a registered midwife and award-winning college lecturer, embodies the spirit of change. Fueled by her frustration with inadequate maternity care, Gemma has dedicated herself to reducing race-based health inequalities. Her mission extends beyond clinical practice; she actively creates accessible environments, develops inclusive tools, and advocates for Black and brown skin communities and healthcare professionals. Gemma’s overarching goal is to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for Black and brown skin women and birthing parents.
In addition to her impactful work, Gemma is the Founder of The Essential Baby Company, where she champions equity and supports underrepresented communities. Her innovative approach led her to craft the haPPIE® Principles, which effectively redistribute power balances between patients and healthcare professionals, revolutionising health education delivery. Gemma’s commitment extends further as she serves as an NHS Core20 Ambassador, NHS Maternity User Researcher, and now Clinical Entrepreneur Ambassador.
Liz Harrison, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience. Her journey began as a registered nurse, and she later specialised in District Nursing. Liz’s career evolved to include roles as a Modern Matron and a Community Matron for Long-Term Conditions. For the past seven years, she has excelled as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in primary care.
Beyond clinical practice, Liz wears multiple hats. She serves as a Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) and Clinical Safety Officer for Mid & South Essex NHS Trust. In 2021 Liz joined Cohort 6 of the Clinical Entrepreneurship Programme to develop her idea to support new Advanced Nurse Practitioners to define their scope of practice and set boundaries in general practice. This led to her being accepted onto the MSE Innovation Fellowship and working with fellow CCIO/CSO and entrepreneur Dr Dilshan Arawwawala to develop her idea within his Company ShiftPartner.
Polly Sullivan, Programme Lead, said: “We are excited to welcome Liz and Gemma to the programme team as Clinical Entrepreneur Ambassadors. One of our main objective is to raise awareness of the programme among all healthcare professional groups and emphasise the exciting opportunities it provides. As clinical entrepreneurs, our ambassadors offer valuable insights and connections to support this goal.”
The appointed ambassadors will actively represent the CEP at various events and conferences, showcasing the programme’s impact, success stories, and opportunities for healthcare professionals. By engaging with stakeholders, sharing insights, and participating in discussions, they will elevate the programme’s visibility and inspire others to get involved.