In our latest #OurEntrepreneurs profile we meet cohort 8 Clinical Entrepreneur Owen Jefferies, Doctor.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am an anaesthetics registrar who is currently taking a year out of training to work in healthcare leadership within the Southern Trust, Northern Ireland. This year I am working on a project to increase trainee doctors’ access to educational content by producing instructional videos of anaesthetic procedures. I have always had a keen interest in the role of technology within healthcare and its ability to improve the efficiency and safety of the service that we provide.
Name: Owen Jefferies
Occupation: Doctor
Location: Southern Trust, Northern Ireland
Tell us about your innovation
I am developing a digital workforce solution that simplifies locum shift advertising and hiring of doctors. By streamlining NHS organisations’ current employment onboarding processes, the solution aims to be quick to implement, minimally disruptive and cost-effective. The digital platform will enable doctors to easily work at different hospitals and empower Trusts to directly hire them. The overall aim is to reduce Trusts’ reliance on agency staff. In a time where budgets are tighter than ever, it is vitally important that the NHS is able to reduce its workforce spend, without the need for compromising patient care.
Why did you apply to join the programme, and what are you most looking forward to?
I joined the Clinical Entrepreneur programme as I see it as an opportunity to develop my idea into a reality. I also relish the opportunity to meet likeminded people and to learn from other innovators, especially those within Northern Ireland.
The key support I hope to receive is how to approach the NHS for access to certain staff groups to allow testing of my application. I would also like support with pitching and selling the product to the health service, as well as where to find appropriate funding to aid development.
What are your ambitions for the next year?
Throughout the next year, I aim to expand my personal skillset to embody the qualities of a successful entrepreneur. My main goal is to have a minimum viable product (MVP) in the hands of users within 12 months. Additionally, I hope to build strong relationships with hospital trusts in and investors to propel my project forward.
Since joining the programme, I have been awarded a £10k proof of concept grant to start development of this solution.
Why do you think innovation is important in healthcare?
Innovation is the foundation upon which we can build good medical practice. Without successful innovation the increasing demands of our modern health service will become overwhelming. Technology provides a fantastic platform upon which to build an efficient, safe and cost-effective service for our patients.
How can we find out more?
For more information, please contact me via email.