Innovating for a Brighter Future: The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Partners with Alzheimer’s Society

In a new collaboration, the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) has joined forces with Alzheimer’s Society on a new initiative in dementia care innovation. This partnership marks a significant step forward, offering practical support to entrepreneurs focused on improving dementia care and support. It is an important collaboration that aims to foster innovation in a crucial area of healthcare, prioritised by the NHS.

Dementia, a pressing global health challenge, affects an estimated 676,000 people in England and 850,000 across the UK*. While it predominantly impacts older individuals, some experience early-onset dementia, posing unique challenges for patients, caregivers, and families. England has approximately 540,000 dementia caregivers, with approximately one in three people expected to care for someone with dementia during their lifetime. The economic impact of dementia stands at an estimated £23 billion annually, which is predicted to triple by 2040. 

The NHS CEP, funded by NHS England and delivered by Anglia Ruskin University, is known for nurturing the talents of healthcare innovators, and this collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society will launch a new “Dementia Innovators Programme” this autumn, which will support both NHS and non-NHS health and social care staff who have ideas that could help improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

The new programme is designed to equip these entrepreneurs with the essential skills, knowledge, and contacts needed to bring their ideas to life and scale them up effectively. Alzheimer’s Society’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with dementia and their caregivers complements the entrepreneurial acumen fostered by the NHS training programme. Together, the partnership aims to help accelerate the development of innovative solutions to improve dementia care.

The partnership will focus on supporting innovators at every stage of their journey. From the initial spark of an idea to the complex process of scaling a product or service, the combined resources of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and Alzheimer’s Society ensure that the innovators will receive the best possible opportunities and support. Entrepreneurs will have access to a network of experts, funding opportunities, and a community of like-minded individuals all striving towards a common goal: improving dementia care.

Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to partner with the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. At Alzheimer’s Society one of our biggest priorities is to find and accelerate the best new and innovative solutions to provide help and hope for people living with dementia. This partnership will help to transform the lives of people affected by dementia by enabling entrepreneurs access to a programme that has supported 1,200 innovators over the past eight years.

“Too many people living with dementia face barriers to living a better quality of life without the right tools and support to overcome them. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to improving the lives of people affected by dementia through championing innovation. We’re extremely excited about the possibility that lies ahead.”

Applications for the Dementia Innovators Programme will open on 1st October 2024.

For more information and details of how to apply, please visit the CEP website.

How does it work?

The programme is free, and it can fit around your work. Individuals can apply to the programme as they would the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. The pilot will start in March 2025 alongside the main cohort, and those who receive a place will have full access to the CEP curriculum 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 

In addition, wraparound support and opportunities will be provided by Alzheimer’s Society. 

• Regular check-ins with a Senior Innovator at Alzheimer’s Society
• Webinars and workshops 
• Access to the Innovation Collective, a group of experts in dementia and product development 
• Access to people living with dementia for testing
• Places at relevant events and conferences as space allows

Key Programme dates

• Launch webinar date:  4th September 2024 – Tower Suites, London
• Applications open: 1st October 2024  
• Applications close: 29th October 2024 
• Assessment and Review: December/January
• Successful candidates notified: Late January/Early February 2025
• Programme start: March 2025, launched with the Big Pitch event (the
• Programme will run for 12 months)  

Participation requirements:

• Entrepreneurs need to attend at least 50% of the CPD-accredited pit stops. This can either be in person or virtual, via Zoom. 
• If matched with a mentor, the entrepreneur needs to have at least 4 x 1-hour sessions over the course of the year  
• The entrepreneur will be required to take part in mid and end of year surveys and provide entrepreneur profiles to the programme team
• Produce an end of year report or presentation  
• Participation in yearly survey and impact reports 

Key messages:

• The NHS CEP is actively committed to supporting NHS England’s priorities around dementia care.
• We are working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to support innovators in dementia care.
• The new Dementia Innovators Programme is aimed at both NHS staff and non-NHS health and social care professionals, with an innovative idea to improve the lives of people living with dementia and ideas can be at any stage.
• Access to the National NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme with wraparound bespoke support from Alzheimer’s Society.
• The programme is a pilot and currently open to those in the UK.

For more information contact cep@aru.ac.uk or attend our launch event on the 4th September www.nhscep.com/events   

Launch Event

Advancing Dementia Innovation: NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and Alzheimer’s Society Networking Event

Date: Wednesday 4th September 2024 5.30pm – 10pm 

Venue: Tower Suites by Blue Orchid, 100 Minories, London, EC3N 1JY

Join NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) and Alzheimer’s Society on 4th September 2024 at Tower Suites, London at 5.30pm for the launch of a new, exciting collaboration.

This event is an opportunity to learn more about the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, its partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, and how we aim to support both NHS and non-NHS health and social care professionals working with people affected by dementia to get into innovation.

The event will be hosted by Professor Tony Young, Simon Lord and Dr Tamsin Holland Brown and will feature:

• Opening Remarks: A warm welcome from Professor Tony Young, OBE, National Clinical Lead for Innovation at NHS England and NHS Improvement; Professor of Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Anglia Ruskin University; Consultant Urological Surgeon at Southend University Hospital and Associate Medical Director, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and Simon Lord Head of Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society
• Introducing the new Dementia Innovators Programme: An insightful introduction to the new programme by Professor Tony Young, and Dr Tamsin Holland Brown
• Entrepreneur Showcase: Engage with our Clinical Entrepreneurs as they share their real-life success stories and testimonials. Gain insights into how the CEP has propelled innovation to new heights.

Who should attend? 

Anyone who is interested in applying to the NHS Clinical or Patient Entrepreneur Programmes or those who are working in the dementia innovation space and are interested in the collaboration.

Registration 

www.nhscep.com/events