Executive Summary
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme transformed its innovation pipeline by adopting Submit.com's integrated grant management platform. Application handling became significantly more streamlined, transparent, and secure, empowering more than 1,200 NHS staff, fostering robust collaboration, and reducing operational burdens across all stages of the programme. With automated workflows and real-time progress tracking, the platform enabled the NHS to identify, support, and scale new healthcare solutions quickly and efficiently, driving transformative impact for patients, staff, and the broader healthcare system.
Customer Background
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme supports frontline NHS staff across the UK, helping them develop and scale innovative healthcare solutions. Before adopting Submit.com, managing applications and collaboration was manual, time-consuming, and created delays for both applicants and programme staff.
Challenge
Application overload: Manual processing caused delays and incomplete submissions as application numbers soared.
Difficulties in collaboration: Disconnected workflows made communication slow and feedback difficult among staff, mentors, and reviewers.
Solution
Unified Portal: Applicants could easily upload, save, and track their progress for faster, more accurate submissions.
Process Automation: Applicants received real-time updates and reminders about their application stages, ensuring timely action and transparency.
Centralized Collaboration: The platform facilitated direct connections between innovators and mentors, ensuring streamlined collaboration across all participants.
Effortless Management: Smart scheduling and instant updates made it simple to run mentoring and training sessions for thousands of NHS staff each year.
Results & Outcomes
National Reach: Used by the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme to support staff across the UK, including clinical and non-clinical professionals.
Accelerated Innovation: Enabled smoother application review and mentor matching, contributing to the success of hundreds of healthcare innovation projects.
Improved Completion Rates: A unified digital portal ensured high-quality and complete applications, streamlining selection and onboarding
Award-Winning Impact Recognized as the 2024 HSJ Partnership Award for Best Education Programme for the NHS.
Impact Statement
The Clinical Entrepreneur Programme's new digital platform delivered a seamless, reliable application process, streamlined review, and improved mentor engagement - helping us support more innovators than ever before.
Why It Worked
Aligned with NHS Priorities: The digital platform supported the programme's mission to foster innovation across the health service, making it easy for staff to participate without leaving their NHS roles.
Adaptable Technology: Flexible forms and workflows accommodated diverse application types and evolving programme needs.
Hands-On Support: Dedicated onboarding and responsive guidance ensured smooth rollout and continuous improvement.
Connected Community: A centralized platform brought together all applicants, mentors, and coordinators, strengthening collaboration and visibility throughout the programme lifecycle.
