We are delighted to meet this year’s cohort of Northern Ireland clinical entrepreneurs from across each Health and Social Care Trust:
- Conor Smyth, Allied Health Professional – First contact physiotherapist, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Daniel Harte, Allied Health Professional – Advanced Occupational Therapist, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- David Graham, Consultant Community Paediatrician, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- John Barber, Allied Health Professional PHA, Primary care Vaccinator GP, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- Sharon Thompson, Unscheduled Primary Care Manager, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Sinead Lee, Non Clinical Operational Support Lead, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Thomas Brown, Foundation Year Two Doctor, Western Health and Social Care Trust
- Zita Okeke, Cardiology Doctor, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Tanya McCance, Professor of Nursing R&D, Ulster University
Previous participants are already making a significant impact through digital tools, healthcare technologies and new models of care that are improving outcomes for patients while supporting a more sustainable healthcare system.
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) is continuing to build momentum in Northern Ireland, supporting a new generation of healthcare innovators who are transforming patient care from within the health service. Since launching locally in 2022, the programme has supported more than 30 entrepreneurs from across the health and social care workforce, including doctors, nurses, psychologists and allied health professionals.
Delivered by Anglia Ruskin University and supported locally by HIRANI, the programme provides mentoring, education and access to networks that help participants develop and scale innovative ideas addressing some of healthcare’s biggest challenges — from mental health and dementia care to cancer, maternity and cardiovascular services.
This year, Northern Ireland welcomes nine new NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs for 2026/27, with the programme jointly funded by the Department of Health NI and the Department for the Economy NI.
Impact Highlights
- One participant has achieved more than 6,000 app downloads and users across 178 countries
- One innovation has been adopted across 13 NHS trusts and 100 private sector practices
- Another participant’s innovation has been adopted by five private sector practices, one NHS trust, two academic institutions and 26 GP practices
