Healthcare programme receives national award

NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, delivered by ARU, is recognised by HSJ

A programme aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the NHS has been recognised with a national award from the Health Service Journal (HSJ).

The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP), delivered by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), has won the prestigious 2024 HSJ Partnership Award for Best Education Programme for the NHS. The award ceremony, held last night (Thursday, 21 March), recognised outstanding contributions to healthcare education and innovation.

The NHS CEP is an initiative led by Anglia Ruskin University in collaboration with NHS England, seeking to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation. Over 1,000 individuals have benefited from the programme since it was established in 2016.

The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is supported by more than 50 partners, including industry leaders and NHS stakeholders.

Innovations that have been introduced to the NHS through the programme include Neutrocheck – sepsis home testing for cancer patients; HearGlueEar, an app that aims to positively change the development, learning and prospects of children with hearing loss; and Medishout, a digital solution to resolve operational issues, such as broken equipment, quickly,

Judges at last night’s awards praised the programme for ensuring that healthcare professionals from all backgrounds can participate and contribute; empowering NHS staff to address the challenges the healthcare sector faces; and playing a part in nurturing and retaining staff to help them reach their potential.

Professor Tony Young OBE, Professor in Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Anglia Ruskin University, said:

“This is truly fantastic news. Our win at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2024 for Best Education Programme for the NHS is a well-deserved recognition of the tireless efforts of our dedicated team and our invaluable NHS partners.”


Polly Sullivan, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme Lead at Anglia Ruskin University, said:

“I am immensely proud of our achievement at the HSJ Partnership Awards! From its humble beginnings, our programme has steadily scaled and flourished in collaboration with ARU over the past seven years. This recognition fuels our passion, and we are more determined than ever to forge a lasting positive impact in the field of healthcare.”