Our Entrepreneurs: Harry Akerman
Welcome to #OurEntrepreneurs, a series where we meet our innovators and uncover what inspired them to create change. Today, we’re delighted to introduce Harry Akerman, joining us from University Hospital Southampton.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a Consultant Anaesthetist who has been working with the University of Southampton for over 10 years to develop a continuous, non‑invasive respiratory rate monitor. I am also collaborating with a local company to develop a continuous, completely non‑invasive lactate monitor.
Name: Harry Akerman, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Cohort 10
Occupation: Consultant Anaesthetist
In addition, I run a software company that has developed a Class I medical‑device patient communicator, which engages with patients throughout their perioperative journey to collect key information, including anaesthetic pre‑assessment details and pre‑ and post‑op PROMs.
Tell us about your innovation
Respiratory rate is often the first physiological parameter to become abnormal in many pathophysiologies, yet it remains the only commonly measured parameter that is still routinely assessed manually. We know the accuracy of this crucial measurement is frequently poor, and so improving it could allow us to identify deteriorating patients earlier and treat them accordingly.
Continuous monitoring is going to be a challenge to work out how to use. It will come, but our systems are still designed around intermittent, snapshot measurements. Significant work is needed, not only for respiratory rate but also for heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, to determine when to alert the appropriate people of abnormal physiology. When done successfully, we should be able to monitor more patients more closely, including some in the home environment.
Why did you join the programme and how do you hope it will support you?
I first discovered the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme after meeting a senior NHS England leader at an event, who shared the breadth of opportunities available through the programme.
I’m hoping the programme will support my development, particularly through mentoring and networking. We already have a strong team with many of the attributes needed for success, so connecting with the right people will be especially valuable.
My ambitions for the year include obtaining UKCA marking and beginning to sell into a non‑medical, less‑regulated wellbeing market. The support and connections from the programme will be instrumental in helping us move toward these goals.
Why do you think innovation is healthcare is important?
Innovation in healthcare is important because it is the missing gap in physiological monitoring, we can’t achieve continuous NEWS without it. Respiratory rate is also the first parameter to become abnormal in conditions like sepsis, so improving how we measure it can make a real difference to early detection and outcomes.
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