People and Places
Hooray for HIP Developing an idea into an NHS-ready product can be a daunting proposition. Thousands of innovators every year attempt to navigate the NHS business landscape but find it a difficult process. This is why some of the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) came together with SETsquared in 2014 to create the Health Innovation Programme (HIP). It is now in its fifth year and continuing to support innovators across the South of England, from Kent to Cornwall.
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he training programme, created in partnership with SETsquared, the global no.1 university business incubator, specifically addresses the needs of healthcare innovators and covers core skills in entrepreneurship. It’s an intensive, fully-funded, fourday personal development course that helps entrepreneurs across the South of England to develop business propositions with real potential for health and care.
During the bootcamp delegates build their skills in many aspects of entrepreneurship, from market analysis to funding strategies.
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To help navigate this complex sector, they also benefit from tailored health and life science sector specific modules, such as the NHS as a market place, health economics, regulatory standards, and collecting and evaluating evidence. The course provides an opportunity to make a compelling pitch to an experienced panel (think Dragons’ Den!) and is a supportive and friendly environment to network with like-minded innovators and try out ideas.
Lucy Hadley, Director of the Development People, attended the West of England AHSN HIP. She commented: “I have found the structured and practical approach to reviewing our business idea invaluable. As a business we are now clear about what we need (and don’t need!) which means we have clarity, focus and energy to move forward! I enjoyed meeting others in similar positions and sharing our learnings and ideas. The environment of the course is supportive and fun.”
Since 2014, 84 innovators have been through HIP in the West of England alone. This includes delegates from member NHS trusts and universities.
Rebecca Porter, Managing Director of BlueKit Medical, was one of the 12 entrepreneurs at a recent HIP run by Kent, Surrey and Sussex AHSN. Her company provides a range of Single-Use Procedure Packs. She explained: