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’s 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 90,000 people in Scotland 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. One in three people is expected to care for someone with dementia during their lifetime. The economic impact of dementia in the UK stands at an estimated £25 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 across the UK 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.
- Applications for the “Dementia Innovators Programme” will open on the 1st October 2024 please visit the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Website for more information on how to apply or join our launch event on the 4th September