Welcome to #OurEntrepreneurs, a series where we meet our innovators and uncover what inspired them to create change. Today, we’re delighted to introduce Catherine Short, joining us from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have worked within Rheumatology for over 14 years, during which I have developed a strong passion for service development and quality improvement. I have led and contributed to numerous projects focused on delivering patient-centred care that is safe, effective, and responsive to need. I particularly enjoy working collaboratively across the Trust and with external partners, building strong, sustainable relationships that support service innovation and improved patient outcomes.
My professional journey is underpinned by a non-traditional career pathway. I was the first member of my immediate family to attend university, beginning my nurse training at the age of 29 at the University of Bradford. Prior to this, I worked in a variety of roles, including as a fork truck driver, where I was one of only two women in the position. These experiences have shaped my resilience, adaptability, and confidence in challenging environments.
Name: Catherine Short, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Cohort 10
Occupation: Rheumatology Nurse Specialist
The diversity of my background has developed my curiosity and willingness to ask questions, challenge practice where appropriate, and actively embrace change. I am not afraid of innovation or new ways of working; instead, I seek opportunities to drive improvement and contribute meaningfully to service transformation.
Tell us about your innovation
In Rheumatology, we treat a wide range of complex autoimmune conditions. Delays in accessing timely advice between clinic appointments often lead to unnecessary GP or A&E visits, medication errors, and increased patient anxiety.
In 2021, we identified a significant issue with long wait times on our advice line. The existing process was outdated and inefficient, resulting in hours of wasted nursing time spent on calls that were not appropriate for the service. To address this, we developed a digital advice line with an integrated signposting system, enabling patients to be redirected to the correct team based on their specific needs. This innovation led to a substantial reduction in waiting times and saved many hours of nursing time.
During a patient focus group, someone asked whether the system was available as an app and it struck me as a brilliant idea. An app would offer even easier access for patients. Building on this insight, I am now seeking to expand the service into a comprehensive patient‑facing app. This would act as a “one‑stop shop” for Rheumatology patients, designed to simplify access, support self‑management, and enhance communication across services. Key proposed features include:
- Self‑assessment tools to support early identification of disease flares.
- Patient education resources to strengthen understanding and promote health.
- Integrated medication management, including the ability to request Rheumatology prescriptions.
- Streamlined blood test management, allowing patients to book or cancel appointments.
- Automated signposting and communication with notifications when patients are redirected to services such as physiotherapy, secretarial teams, or booking offices.
This approach aims to reduce fragmentation in the patient journey, addressing the current frustration of navigating multiple systems, websites, and contact points. Beyond rheumatology, this model has the potential to be scaled across other chronic disease services where timely access to advice and coordinated care are essential.
What is the problem or challenge you are addressing in the NHS and why is it important?
National and international rheumatology bodies recognise that rapid access to specialist advice is increasingly important. The complexity of rheumatology conditions and the medications used means non‑specialists often feel less confident providing safe, accurate guidance.
The British Society for Rheumatology (2020) highlights the need to optimise the efficiency of advice‑line services to ensure this valuable resource is used effectively. Evidence shows that patients feel more confident in self‑managing their condition when they have easy access to healthcare professionals with specialist knowledge. Nurse‑led advice lines help meet rising demand across NHS services; however, this increased pressure has contributed to stress and anxiety among rheumatology nurses (1).
Musculoskeletal conditions affect more than 10 million people in the UK, account for 30% of GP consultations, and cost the NHS approximately £5 billion each year, resulting in 28 million lost working days (2). Delayed access can lead to irreversible joint damage and avoidable hospital admissions. Improving patient access through digital transformation, in line with NHS priorities, has the potential to reduce pressure on both primary and secondary care while improving patient outcomes.
Why did you join the programme and how do you hope it will support you?
I first came across the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme through a notice on my Trust’s global email encouraging staff to apply. After reading more and watching the short introductory video, I realised it was exactly what I needed to help develop my idea for an advice‑line app – a clear direction, a starting point, and access to the right people.
I’m not an IT‑savvy person, and I’ve never run a business or considered myself an entrepreneur. But I know there are many skilled individuals who can support this kind of innovation. What I’m hoping for is the chance to connect with those people.
I’m genuinely excited about meeting new colleagues with expertise and perspectives I wouldn’t normally encounter in my day‑to‑day role. The opportunity to learn from them and expand this idea is what motivates me most.
What are your ambitions for the next year?
I aim to develop a working demonstration of a patient‑facing digital app that offers simple, timely access to rheumatology advice. The goal is to create a tool that is intuitive for patients and practical for healthcare professionals, while remaining realistic and deliverable within the NHS.
Testing the concept with colleagues and patients would provide valuable feedback on usability, expectations, and clinical safety, helping shape a solution that genuinely meets service needs.
Why do you think innovation is healthcare is important?
Rheumatology conditions disproportionately affect people living in the most deprived 20% of areas, where access to specialist care is often limited. Addressing delays in advice and treatment is essential to prevent worsening outcomes in these communities.
By reducing unnecessary GP and A&E attendances, we can lower avoidable admissions by an estimated 15–20%, saving around £200–£300 per patient each year. This approach aligns with Core20PLUS5 priorities by tackling health inequalities, improving access for underserved groups, and supporting effective self‑management, ultimately delivering better outcomes for those who need it most (3).