MAY 20248THE RISE OF THE HEALTHCARE INNOVATORInnovation is the process of creating and implementing an idea that answers a clear need and adds value to how we deliver healthcare and treat our patients. Innovation can take many forms, such as new technology, service models, processes, or whole system change. Innovation can also be incremental or radical, depending on the degree of change and impact it brings. Importantly, it must start with the need being clearly defined. Innovation fails when the starting point is based on the excitement of using a new tool or technology and then trying to find somewhere to apply it. It is no secret that healthcare in the UK desperately needs change, from low morale to legacy systems and rising demand. The NHS is a complex and dynamic organisation that faces many challenges and opportunities in delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient care to the population. Suppose the ignition for innovation is the understanding of the need, then who better to drive this change than the staff members living and breathing UK healthcare? The NHS workforce is highly educated and motivated, and they have a unique insight into the real pain points and potential solutions in the delivery of healthcare in the UK. Therefore, they are best placed to understand the issues and the opportunities for innovation.However, the NHS culture and structure may not always support or encourage innovation from the frontline staff. There may be barriers such as lack of time, resources, skills, incentives, recognition, or support for innovation. There may also be resistance to change from the existing practices, policies, or stakeholders.To overcome these barriers and unleash the potential of grassroots innovation in the NHS, we need to develop the role of clinical innovator, nurse innovator, physio innovator, etc. These are healthcare professionals who have a passion and aptitude for innovation and who can lead and champion innovation projects within their teams, departments, or organisations. These roles should be on par with the academic clinician or nurse, and they should be given the appropriate training, support, and recognition for their work. There are pockets where this is happening. The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Program is a great example of championing innovators. My own Trust (Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust) has a thriving research and innovation team, with an Innovation Fellow program that mixes clinical exposure and intrapreneurship training.The training for clinical innovators or nurse innovators should include topics such as technology, programs and change management. Technology is essential for Ryan KersteinIn My OpinionRyan Kerstein, Associate Medical Director for Innovation and Research, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustBy
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