Patient Entrepreneur Programme
A new programme from the NHS CEP and NHS England Patient and Public Involvement team aimed at patients and carers.
About us
What is the Patient Entrepreneur Programme?
The NHS CEP Patient Entrepreneur Programme (PEP) is a programme aimed at people with lived experience (as a patient or family carer) of a condition who have developed a new innovation to improve patient care. The programme aims to give individuals the skills and knowledge to develop their innovation, while giving them access to a network of mentors, healthcare experts and training.
Delivered by the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) the programme gives people with lived experience access to an established and respected programme of innovation learning and development while benefitting from additional wrap around support.
The Programme
Our Aims
This programme recognises the unique value of patient-led innovation and aims to:
• Empower patients and carers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to develop and scale their innovations.
• Amplify the patient voice in healthcare innovation, ensuring that lived experience informs the design and delivery of new solutions.
• Support co-design and collaboration, aligning with the NHS’s commitment to “putting patients at the heart of everything we do.”
• Provide access to expert mentorship, healthcare networks, and tailored development opportunities.
• Create a supportive ecosystem where patient innovators can thrive alongside clinical and commercial peers.
Apply for Cohort 3!
We are pleased to announce that applications for cohort 3 will open 3rd November 2025.
Who can Apply for the Patient Programme?
Those who have experience as a patient, carer or family member of a health condition, and have used this knowledge to develop an innovation to transform patient care.
Your innovation should be beyond the idea stage and in early to mid-stage development. Applicants will need to have done some market research, understand priorities to the health services and how their idea could potentially impact different populations. This programme is aimed at those individuals who don’t already have support from an organisation.
Applicants need to be based in England and be 18 years and over..
Entrepreneurs
Meet some of our entrepreneurs who’s lived experience has influenced their decision to innovate.
What is the Offer?
The programme is free and it can fit around your work. Individuals can apply to the programme as they would the CEP.
The programme will start in Spring 2026, and those who receive a place will have full access to the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme which includes:
Learning
- CPD Accredited Pit Stops – 2-day events delivering educational content – blended delivery both online and in person.
- Workshops and webinars – blended delivery where possible
Mentoring
- Mentoring – online and in person
- 1-2-1 clinics with experts –online and in person.
- Business planning – online and in person
Opportunities
- International opportunities and trips.
- Company days and pitching opportunities with industry partners.
- Networking
Community
- Supportive and inclusive community
- Access to online community hub.
- Support from the dedicated CEP team
Additional Support
Regular check in
The Patient and Public Team at NHS England will provide additional online monthly check ins for patient entrepreneurs and progress conversations.
Guest Speakers
A range of speaker sessions that are patient entrepreneur specific and compliment the content of the CEP.
Connections
Connections and introductions to the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector and wider patient networks and communities.
The Commitment
We understand everyone’s time is precious so we ensure that our events are available to attend online. The commitment to the programme is:
To attend at least 50% of the CPD Accredited pit stops (there are 8 per year), this can either be in person of virtual via zoom.
If matched with a mentor, they need to have at least four x 1-hour sessions over the course of the year.
Take part in mid and end of year surveys and provide entrepreneur profiles to the programme team, and produce a short end of year report or presentation
Further information
Key dates
Applications for cohort 3 of the Patient Entrepreneur Programme will open on the 3rd November 2025.
Applications
Open to all individuals with experience of an illness or condition who have developed novel or new innovation to improve patient care.
Meet the team
The PEP Programme has been formed through a collaboration with the NHS CEP and NHS England Patient Programmes