Tom Sieron

Digitizing health and sports with AI/ML, computer vision and wearables 🌐 EO'er 🚀 Drawing digital maps for the journeys that matter.

Digital innovators use DAC’s design, R&D, and AI/ML engineering expertise to develop and grow AI powered products. 

Industrial companies turn raw operational data into actionable intelligence with our help.

With expertise across computer vision, IoT, embedded systems, and scalable backend platforms, DAC.digital delivers end-to-end AI solutions that are reliable, compliant, and ready for production.

We also build products and ventures that benefit from our 20+ years of AI/ML experience in deeptech R&D, powered by a team with 5 PhDs, founder support network and a history of launching and growing successful solutions.


Co-Founder and COO

Punktum is a Berlin-based product ideation, design and delivery consultancy focused on digital health, wellness and fitness. We combine modern Design Thinking UX methods with emerging technologies. 

Our product strategy design process helps our clients stay relevant and connected to their audiences. Our team's deep tech expertise is in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science, as well as hardware-based tech – wearables, IoT, AR/VR and Computer Vision based solutions.

NHS Cancer Doctor. I connect HealthTech Companies with Healthcare Professionals.

Over 80% of HealthTech Innovations fail.

One of the biggest reasons is the lack of clinical adoption.

Where healthcare professionals simply fail to appreciate the benefit of a new solution.

Why does this happen?

Many healthcare innovators build new tech solutions without truly understanding healthcare and its complex problem in its entirety.

They build tools that are directionally correct, but stumbles upon the details that matter in the clinical setting.

There is not enough collaboration between those who build new tools, and those who use them.

We started the Medical Consulting Group to bridge this gap. 

Over the past few years, we have:

- Helped 125 HealthTech Startups
- Onboarded >100 clinicians in various clinical consulting work.
- Grew a robust network of >1500 clinicians.

We believe in the power of collaboration to build the next generation of healthcare tools.

Tools that can and will make a big difference to our patients and clinicians.

If you are a healthtech innovator looking for clinical collaboration,

Visit us at medicalconsultinggroup.co.uk!

Dr. Derrick Khor

Honestly, the UK's HealthTech regulations is a minefield to navigate. 

And really, I would like to simplify it a little. 

👇 Let's take a look at the basic.

🛡️ 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

✅ You need 𝗚𝗗𝗣𝗥 (𝗨𝗞), 
👉 if you are processing any identifiable patient or user data.

✅You need a 𝗗𝗣𝗜𝗔, 
👉if you are using health data at scale, using AI, or doing anything “high risk” with personal data.

✅You need the 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗗𝗦𝗣𝗧, 
👉if you are accessing NHS patient data, integrating with NHS systems, or selling into NHS organisations.

✅You need 𝗜𝗖𝗢 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (data protection fee), 
👉if you are processing personal data as a business (which is most HealthTech companies).


🩺 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆

✅You need 𝗗𝗖𝗕𝟬𝟭𝟮𝟵, 
👉if you are a supplier building clinical software that could impact patient care.

✅You need 𝗗𝗖𝗕𝟬𝟭𝟲𝟬, 
👉if you are an NHS organisation deploying that clinical software (your buyer will ask if you support this).

✅You need 𝗖𝗤𝗖 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,
 👉if you are providing a regulated health or social care service (not just selling software).

✅You need 𝗗𝗧𝗔𝗖,
👉if you are trying to sell to the NHS (because it brings data protection, clinical safety, technical security, interoperability and more into one pathway).


🔬 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

✅You need 𝗠𝗛𝗥𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (UKCA or CE marking), 
👉if your product diagnoses, monitors, predicts risk, or influences clinical decisions (including many AI tools).

✅You need a 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆, 
👉if your device is higher risk (Class IIa / IIb / III).


💻 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

✅You need 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀, 
👉if you are selling to the public sector or working with NHS organisations (often expected as a baseline).

✅You need 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀, 
👉if you are going for larger NHS tenders or enterprise procurement.

✅You need 𝗪𝗖𝗔𝗚 𝟮.𝟭 𝗔𝗔 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 
👉if you are building patient-facing or NHS-facing software (and want to pass procurement).

✅You need 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 
👉if you are handling sensitive health data, going live in the NHS, or being asked for “security assurance” by procurement teams.

_____________________________

I hope this list makes it a little bit easier for you. 😊 

I would recommend following (or working with) these people if you need help:

Michael Bell
Dr. Paul Jewell
Paul Hercock
Dr Hugh Harvey
Simon Pillinger
EU MDR Compliance
Liz Ashall-Payne
Lucy Buckley, PhD

P.S. What standards have I missed? How would you sum it up in one sentence?

Dr. Zhong Wei Khor

NHS Cancer Doctor. We help health and biotech companies engage key clinical stakeholders.

I’m proud to announce that I’ll be joining WHH Women’s Health Horizons as a member of their UK Strategic Advisory Board!

Women’s Health Horizons is dedicated to advancing global women’s health by bringing together policy, healthcare, investment, research, and innovation leaders to drive meaningful, scalable change.


I was approached by the WHH team last year. 

Since then, I have been completely blown away by the traction and rapid scale they have achieved in such a short period of time.

The WHH team has been a show of force bringing together key players in the women's health space in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia!


I am looking forwards to working with the WHH team: Jason Clark, Brontë Delmonico, Holly Carruthers, Emma Saul and more.

But I am also incredibly honoured to join the star studded advisory board which includes:

Berthe Latreille 
Bola Grace, PhD, MBA
Claire Cockerton
Deniz Bakkalci
Dr. Elsa Zekeng
Issra Siddig
Dr Orlanda A.
Helen Stewart
Julia Levy
Lizzy Dobres
Nigel Denby RD

The WHH team is putting together an incredible event in London on the 10th of March 2026, bringing together investors, founders, clinicians and operators under one roof to catalyse some important conversations about women’s health

Do join us if you are keen to be a part of it! 


Event link: https://luma.com/him9nsc9

Use the code: DK20 for a special discount of 20% off your ticket!


P.S. What would you like to see more of in our upcoming event? Do comment below!

I’m 32. Married. 2 Lovely Kids. A Cancer Doctor.

And we've worked with 43 HealthTech Startups.

Just 3 years ago,

I had started my oncology training,
Moved to a new city (Glasgow), 
And had our first baby.

AI was all the rage in 2023.
But nowhere to be found in healthcare.

I realised then that there was far too little clinical rigor in healthtech. 

Too many founders building clinical tools blindly. 
Not understanding our reality or regulatory hurdles.

Too much money wasted on projects that didn’t matter.
All while healthcare is bursting at its seams with demand.

I hated seeing brilliant projects went down the drain,
So I took it upon ourselves to help founders make the connections they need. 

I spent weekends and nights speaking to founders.

To date, I have spoken to over 280 of them.
Listening to their struggles, 
Understanding their needs. 

We set up the Medical Consulting Group.
Build out a large clinical network.
And connected >200 clinicians to the best startups.

And now, it’s 2026 and I have a second baby.

Our team is growing and so is our footprint. 
But the mission stays the same.

I believe that the best healthcare innovation can only come when the industry works closely with healthcare professionals.

When clinical excellence is merged with technical brilliance and commercial rigor. 


Remember: 

If you want to make a difference in healthcare, 

Speak to those working in it. 

To solve a problem, you 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 first understand it. 


P.S. If you are feeling stuck with clinical engagement, do feel free to reach out to us! We'll be glad to help! ☺️

What makes up the UK's private healthcare system?

Today's market map addresses just that. 

The private healthcare market in the UK is rapidly growing and so is the opportunity for founders looking to build in this space. 

Use this infographic to get a feel of who are the major players worth knowing!

(Please note that I have endeavoured to include all key organisations, but as there are significant space constraints, I had to limit who I include.)

______________________________

LinkedIn limit tags to 40 names only,

So, here are the key organisations most worth noting:

🏥 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀

Circle Health Group
Spire Healthcare Group plc
Ramsay Health Care UK
Nuffield Health
HCA Healthcare UK

💵 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

Bupa UK
AXA Health
Aviva
Vitality 
WPA Health Insurance
The Exeter
Cigna Healthcare
Allianz Care

🧣 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 / 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

Cleveland Clinic London
The London Clinic
The Royal Marsden - Private Care
The Christie Private Care
The Portland Hospital for Women and Children
GenesisCare UK

🏙️ 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 / 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀

InHealth Group
Alliance Medical UK
Affidea UK & Ireland
Scan.com

👩‍🦽‍➡️ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 / 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Practice Plus Group
Welbeck
Phoenix Hospital Group

👓 𝗢𝗽𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀

SpaMedica
Newmedica
Optegra Eye Health Care

👶 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀

Care Fertility
TFP Fertility Group
CREATE Fertility

🏃‍♂️ 𝗠𝗦𝗞 / 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀

Ascenti
Cora Health

📱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗣 / 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲

Livi UK
Push Doctor
Doctor Care Anywhere

__________________________

😊 We hope this market map helps you!

👇 Do comment below if there is something you think deserves attention and needs to be added!

♻️ Please repost if you found this valuable. Many thanks!

The UK Private Healthcare Market Map.

Ambient voice technologies have taken the NHS by storm. 

In 2026, there are 19 vendors listed officially in the NHS AVT registry. 


I have put together this visual to give you an overview of who they are.

👇 And here are the links to all of them:

33n
Accurx
Anathem
Lexacom
Beam 
Corti
Dictate.IT
eConsult - a HUMA company
HealthOrbit AI
Heidi 
Lyrebird Health
Microsoft Dragon
Optum (EMIS)
Joy
Scribetech (UK)
Tandem Health
TORTUS
T-Pro
X-on Health

__________________________

Looking through each of them, you would appreciate that each vendor has their own strategy and specialism. 

Last year we have seen some incredible partnerships being formed.

Tortus with X-on Health
Heidi with Modality Partnership 
Tandem with AccurX
Corti with BigHand

It is apparent that a significant growth strategy is via partnerships not just with the NHS directly but with major providers with an established distribution network.

🚀 Allowing scale at a much greater speed.

It is also interesting to see some of these scribes operating in more specialist settings such in CAMHS (Anathem) and social care (Joy, Beam). 

We are also seeing more traditional speech-to-text / dictation vendors (or their ecosystem) now layering ambient/AI features. (Microsoft Dragon, Dictate IT,  Aprobrium (Lexacom), Scribetech, Tpro)

__________________________

It would seem that we are entering the second phase of the AVT wave in the NHS and the UK. 

As the market matures, I am personally seeing vendors look for more opportunities in secondary care and specialist sectors. 

I for one am looking forward to the time when AVTs are more ubiquitous within the NHS.

But am also curious to see how would this market play out over the next 5-10 years? 

Will it be winner takes all? 

Or each vendor carving out their unique niche?


P.S. What do you think?

My daughter turned 1 over the weekend.

And boy, are we so grateful! 


Some of you would remember that we had a massive health scare late last year.

So believe me when I say we certainly do not take her good health for granted. 


The past 12 months have seen its fair share of ups and downs.

But I would do it over again a million times. 


Balancing two children whilst working full time jobs has been challenging, but at the same time, our lives have never been more colorful. 


Being parents for the second time comes with more calm and experience. 

Sleep deprivation? 
Been there, done that.

Constant feeding and nappy change? 
Been there, done that. 


Double the tiredness, but half the stress. 


It has been remarkable how fast time flies. 

Once she was so small she could fit onto one forearm.

Now, carrying her is a full body workout and a half. 


But I will cherish every moment I get to carry her.

For I know those days will soon be gone.


Until then, I will sneak as many cuddles as I can.


P.S. At what age did you enjoy parenting your child the most?

If you’re building in HealthTech or advising those who are, this is for you.

Working with clinicians can be incredibly powerful.

But it can also be surprisingly risky.

Clinicians are a precious resource - knowledgeable, experienced, often generous with their time.

Yet without clarity on how to work together effectively, that potential often turns into low output, frustration, and missed opportunity.

👇 If you have ever:

- Struggled to get meaningful input from clinicians

- Felt unclear on how to communicate your value or ideas

- Seen great intentions lead to very little impact

You’re not alone.

Together with Medic Footprints and Hale House - we’re bringing you a high-impact, practical session designed to close the clinical ROI gap in HealthTech.

______________________________

This session is built for both sides of the table.

🚀 For HealthTech founders and leaders:

Learn how to work with clinicians effectively so clinical engagement actually drives adoption, value, and growth.

🩺 For clinicians:

Learn how to communicate your value clearly and move from advisor” to strategic commercial partner.

We created this session because we’ve repeatedly seen founders and clinicians struggle to collaborate in the most effective way possible.

So we’re creating the space to HASH IT OUT. 

Openly and constructively.

______________________________

Registration is free, but seats are already filling quickly.

👉 Join the waitlist here:
https://lnkd.in/esxGVWGY

We’d love to see you there.

P.S. Tag someone who will benefit from this!

The NHS is broke. 

Not broke in the sense that they are going bankrupt.

But “broke” in the way a household is constantly relying on short-term fixes just to get through the month.

👇 Here are some key facts and figures:


𝟭) 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.

Over the past 5 years, NHS spending has went up by 6.8% in 2023/2024 and up again by 8.1% in 2024/2025. 

But despite increased funding, the NHS still overspent by around £1.4bn in 2023/24, and 17 out of 42 systems still ended 2024/25 in deficit.


𝟮) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲.

The ONS estimates NHS healthcare productivity was:

⬇️ 9.4% below 2019 in 2023
⬇️ 7.8% below 2019 in 2024

This means that  the NHS now needs more money + more staff just to deliver the same amount of care it used to deliver in 2019.


𝟯) 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.

In 2023/24, NHS staff costs were around: 

- £81.7bn
- 49% of total NHS spending

That means pay is the biggest financial lever in the NHS.

Each 1% pay increase across public sector pay review body workforces costs  approx £2.1bn.

NHS England reported that strikes up to end of Feb 2024 had cost >£1.2bn financially.


𝟰) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴.

The NHS maintenance backlog is now about £15.9bn in 2024/2025

This figure has ballooned from £9.2 billion in 2020/2021, a rise of 73% in 4 years. 

But eventually, buildings and equipment will need to be replaced, and this cost can only be put off for so long.


𝟱) 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝗲𝘀 = 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 =/= 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝗲𝘀

While we see many ICBs broke even last year,

There is a growing concern that the system delivered a managed balance, where special measures were put in place to balance the books. 

Things like sudden recruitment pauses, pausing transformation spend, and delaying projects into the next financial year.

In 2023/24, DHSC shifted £0.9bn from capital budgets into day-to-day spending to manage pressures.


𝟲) 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱.

General inflation saw prices in the UK rose by approx 28% since 2018/2019.

England also spent £21.6bn on medicines/appliances/devices before central rebates, and this was up 5.3% from £20.5bn in 2023/24.

The NHS needs to spend more just to stay still.

____________________________

These structural factors contribute to an ever growing base of spending for the NHS. 

It leaves us vulnerable to surge factors like the winter crisis, energy inflation or a pandemic.


Fixing a problem comes with first understanding it. 


So I reassert: innovation in the NHS is no longer a nice to have. 

It is vital to its survival.


P.S. Do any of these facts surprise you?

Really pleased to kick off this year by announcing our collaboration with Oviva!

Oviva is a trusted partner of the NHS that delivers weight loss programmes led by experienced doctors, 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 

We are working closely with them this year to help deliver a series of talks delivered by clinical experts on this rapidly evolving sector. 

________________________

This upcoming session explores how AI is being used safely and effectively to support weight management.

🔗 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://lnkd.in/e75PDzSz

The focus is on real-world clinical practice - showing how AI tools like Oviva’s app are enhancing care, not replacing it. 

We’ll look at how AI enables just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs), offering tailored behavioural support to patients when it matters most.


🎤 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

Lucy Jones (Chair) – Chief Clinical Officer, Oviva 

Manuel Baumann  – Chief Technical Officer, Oviva

Juliet Finnie – Clinical Lead for AI

Adam – Patient speaker sharing his experience of receiving AI-driven support through Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management 


👇 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿:

✅ How AI supports both patients and clinicians

✅ Safety and effectiveness – including data privacy and clinical oversight
A live demo of Auri, Oviva’s AI assistant.

✅ How adaptive nudges, goal-setting and tailored content drive engagement and outcomes.

✅ A patient’s perspective on how AI helped him stay motivated

________________________

The webinar will also offer a short introduction to Oviva’s NHS-backed model and how GPs can easily refer.

If you are a GP looking to better understand how to deliver better weight management care for your patients, do join our session! [AD]

P.S. Do let us know below what else you would like to ask about weight management / GLP-1s / +The role of AI! 

Jahmila Lewis | Dr Thomas Maggs | Amy Hobson |

We always pay our clinicians first even before our clients pay us.

That is a policy we set at the Medical Consulting Group since our inception.


We do this to build trust with the clinicians who work with us. 


On average, our clinicians get paid the same day of their consulting session.

When they have delivered their awesome value, we believe they shouldn't have to wait weeks or months to be renumerated. 


Instead, we choose to take on the risk on behalf of them.

Because we know how things can be like in the industry.

Payments that get delayed.
Clients who ghosts and default.
People who go back on their contracts.

We choose to be a cut above that. 

We put our money where our mouths are, because we truly value our clinicians and their expertise.

(Luckily, we never had a client default on their payment. 🤞 ) 

______________________________


Similarly, if you are a HealthTech company looking to build credibility in the healthcare space. 

Know that how you uphold your word speaks far more than beautifully dressed statements on your LinkedIn page or website.


Healthcare is an industry that operates on trust. 

If you want to be part of it - remember to show the people you work with the respect they deserve. 


Your reputation, though intangible, remains your most important asset.


If you show that you can't uphold your own contractual terms, 

How can we expect you to lead with integrity when it matters? 


Remember, it is often not about money. 

But rather dignity and principle.



P.S. Always get things in writing. 😉

Is a personal brand needed for those in HealthTech in 2026?

I would argue that it is one of your most valuable assets. 

_____________________________

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱? 

There are many takes out there, but my personal definition is simply this:

“If you take away your place of employment, say if you no longer work for Google, the NHS, or a venture capital firm - would people still be interested in what YOU have to say?”

And I think this is a crucial point to make, 

If your following or engagement is tied to the brand of your affiliations, you don’t have a personal brand - you are merely borrowing someone else’s.

_____________________________

𝗦𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗶𝘀:

“What unique value can I bring to my audience?” 


Over the past 3 years, I have been purposefully building mine up.

It has helped us:

- Double the growth of our company three times. 

- Secure key advisor roles with VC and Startups. 

- Obtain multiple brand ambassadorships and speaker invitations


But the often unspoken intangible value is simply that others trust you more. 

And with that, life becomes a lot easier. 

_____________________________

𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀. 

For one, their starting point is that they already have all the knowledge and experience to make themselves credible in this space. 

The challenge then is how do you translate that into a format that others can resonate with.

3️⃣ I have 3 pieces of practical advice. 


𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭: 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲.

Medicine is a bubble, our language is our own. 

If you want to attract the attention of founders, operators or investors - learn to speak their language. 

Read and understand. I promise you it is much easier compared to the coagulation cascade. 


𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮: 𝟵𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁. 𝟭𝟬% 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 

Building a personal brand is not shouting: “Look at me!”

But rather: “Look at this issue! We need to address and fix it!”

Be it mental health, cardiovascular health or women’s health - be the champion and advocate.

Rise to the top of everybody’s mind in your niche. 


𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯: 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹.

You don’t have to wear a mask, veiling your true self with professionalism.

People want to interact with a person, with their own opinions, struggles and successes. 

They will stand with you, when they see you standing up for something. 

_____________________________

My last advice is that good content does not come from a vacuum. 

Speak and engage with people in this industry, listen to the topics being discussed.

A personal brand is not built alone. 


P.S. Feel free to ask me anything about this below!

"Dear [NAME], your [NUMBER OF YEARS] as [INSERT JOB TITLE] has been so valuable to us."

A surgeon who worked in the NHS for over 30 years received this letter on their retirement. 

Needless to say, it is rather disheartening to see. 


I saw this letter going viral on Reddit.

And while it is obvious that this is likely a clerical error,


The fact that nobody checked it before it was sent surfaces a lack of care and attention. 


Honestly, I find it so de-humanising. 

If this is how we treat those who have served the NHS for so long,

What does it say about our culture and priorities? 


We can certainly do so much better than this. 

P.S. How would one even respond to a letter like this?

Breaking news: BMA Scotland has called off it's proposed strike next week!

A last minute reversal has come not a moment too late.

The Scottish Government has proposed a deal and BMA members have now to consider an offer.

The offer (which BMA Scotland is recommending its members to accept) will move all resident doctors in Scotland up the pay scale and is the equivalent of an average end of year uplift for 2025/2026 of 9.9% and for 2026/2027 of 9.4%.


Honestly, I am so relieved that we have managed to broker an equitable deal, I am sure the same could be said for the entire medical fraternity. 

To note, a deal has not yet been struck in England. 


You can read more here:

https://lnkd.in/egf6jjzc

We massively OVERHYPE fundraising in HealthTech. 

But honestly, that is NOT the real flex. 


👇 Instead, we should really celebrate when:


They secure CQC registration. 

They obtained FDA or MDR approval. 

They partnered with the right clinical sites. 

Their clinical study showed positive findings.

They bring on clinical experts to deliver safe care. 

They secure ISO standards to deliver consistent quality. 

They complete a DPIA and get their IG house in order. 

They achieve DTAC compliance (or align with it early). 

They build a proper clinical governance structure. 

They publish a strong clinical risk assessment. 

They prove usability in real clinical workflows. 

They run post-market surveillance properly. 


Fundraises looks cool and catches our attention. 

But what's infinitely cooler is when startups build tools and deliver care safely and responsibly.


Let's celebrate those who choose to do the right things though they may be hard! 


P.S. Who are you celebrating this year?

Women's health have only received 6% of all private sector funding over the last five years.

This fantastic white paper written by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum has shed greater light onto the current landscape. 

👇 Available here:
https://lnkd.in/e42JSRrD


𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟯 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲:

1️⃣ Women’s health-specific companies received less than 1% of all healthcare private funding, just $23 billion.


2️⃣ And within women’s health, investment is heavily concentrated.

Just three categories dominate: Reproductive health, Maternal care, and  Women’s cancers.

Together, these account for approx. 80% of funding events and 90% of all capital in women’s health (2020–2025).

Reproductive health alone received $127B, compared to $22B for women’s cancers and $9B for maternal health.


3️⃣  Women’s cardiovascular and metabolic health are almost invisible.

Women’s cardiovascular health saw 11 transactions totalling $10M.

Women’s metabolic health saw 8 transactions totalling $4M.

That’s less than 0.01% of their broader category funding.

______________________________________

🟰 To sum it up, 

1. Healthcare raised $2.87T, but women’s health got just 6%.

2. Women’s health-specific companies received <1% of total funding.

3. Most capital stays stuck in “traditional” categories, leaving major women’s health needs underfunded.


Besides investing more into women's health, I strongly assert that we don't simply confine women's health to only within the pelvis.

But rather a complex whole body system that we have yet to fully understand, let alone treat optimally.

Do read the report if you have the time! 

It is brilliantly written.


P.S. Does the figures alarm you? Or does it align with what you already know?


Leo Tyson | Dr Claudia Pastides | Dr Nikita Kanani MBE | Priya Oberoi | Estia Ryan | Carmen van Vilsteren |

Here is something I bet 90% of clinicians don’t realise.

Clinical expertise is actually incredibly versatile even outside of medicine. 


And I am not just talking about HealthTech consulting. 

In fact, our biggest client last year was not a HealthTech company, it was an insurance company. (Who would've guess?)


Over the past 3 years, we have done a huge variety of work and it never fails to surprise me when folks from a completely separate industry reach out to us for help.


Asides our main work with HealthTech startups, we have also worked with:

💊 Pharma
🏛️ Insurers
💰 Investors
🎓 Universities

And even the NHS itself. 


I have put together this infographic really to showcase just how varied our work as clinicians can be.

And how you don't need to limit yourself to just one industry if you are looking to branch out. 


What is particularly interesting for me is that there were a few clinicians whom we used multiple times in different pieces of work.

Same clinician, Different industry, 

But same significant value.


If you are a clinician with years of experience and formal training, 

Know that you are sitting on a gold mine worth excavating! 


P.S. What is the most interesting work you have done as a clinician outside of medicine?

👇  Do join our clinical network if you are keen for us to reach out to you for more similar opportunities! 

https://lnkd.in/ehaaQN_A

“Say yes until you can say no.”

This phrase has been living in my head rent-free for a while.

Because if you’ve ever tried to break into an industry, you’ll know this truth.


𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

You earn it one humble opportunity at a time.

_______________________________

To clarify, this doesn’t mean doing endless free work for other people.

𝗜𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻.

✅ Yes to the rooms that stretch you.

✅ Yes to the conversations that sharpen you.

✅ Yes to the opportunities that build your reputation, even if they look small on paper.

_______________________________

I joined Dr Jing Ouyang on his brilliant Out Of Programme podcast to talk about my journey starting and growing in healthtech.

And I was candid about what the early days really looked like.

When I first started, I gave my time quite freely to many founders.


Not because I wanted to be taken advantage of.

But because those conversations gave me something I couldn’t get anywhere else:

👉 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.


On the struggles. On their realities.

On what founders actually needed.

That’s what helped me learn how to deliver value properly, and package it in a way that grew our business.

_______________________________

To date, I’ve spoken to over 280 healthtech companies.

Given countless talks and sat on panels.

Appeared on over 10 podcasts.


In the early stages, I said yes far more often.

Because I needed to grow.

And I did.


👇 Here’s the honest reality.

𝟵𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲.

🖐 The ones who keep showing up.

✋ The ones who are consistently visible.

✋ The ones people can’t help but think of when something comes up.

_______________________________

And here’s the part that really brought it home for me.

Shortly after recording this podcast with Jing, he introduced us to a high-profile client.

They signed with us and we started work in under 5 days.

That’s what staying in the circle creates.

🚀 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺.


A few important points.

Don’t say yes to everything.

Say yes to what contributes to your growth, even if it feels humble.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀.

_______________________________

🤔 So I’m curious.

Does this resonate with your experience?

And if you had to rewrite the quote, what would your version be?


🎧 P.S. Do tune into the podcast to hear more about our conversation!

🗞️ Substack – https://lnkd.in/eJi5XxKT
▶️ YouTube – https://lnkd.in/eemZMgMw
🎧 Spotify – https://lnkd.in/eCkk3Mji
🍎 Apple Podcasts – https://lnkd.in/e-sEs8cY

Scaling in the EU is about to get a whole lot easier.

Last week, Ursula von der Leyen formally announced EU-INC at the world economic forum in Davos.


In her words:

"We will soon put forward our 28th regime." 

"The ultimate aim is to create a new truly European company structure." 

"𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝗘𝗨-𝗜𝗡𝗖.”


If EU-INC is executed in the way it is intended,

This will represent a seismic shift in how HealthTech can scale in Europe. 


Traditionally, the tried and tested path has always been the USA. 

Because scaling within the EU can be a nightmare. 


Compared to the US where you set up in Delaware and scale immediately throughout the continent, 

Scaling in the EU is much more complex as each of its 27 member states has their own regulations and legislations.


Moving into another country means repeating an endless barrage of paperwork.

(Often in many different languages)


𝗘𝗨-𝗜𝗡𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁. 

I remain bullish on the European outlook and my advice to any HealthTech founder is to keep an eye on this historic development.

It might be where the puck is going.


P.S. Are you feeling 😆 or 🤔 about EU-INC? 

Sigrid Berge van Rooijen | Thomas Hagemeijer | Kasia Pokrop | Carmen van Vilsteren | Estefanía 'Nia' Escobar-Kölle |

Emotional resilience is not a muscle. 

It doesn’t get stronger the more hits you take.


If anything, emotional resilience is more like your skin.

It can heal, but healing isn’t the same as getting stronger.


Sometimes healing leaves scar tissue.


We get better at hiding them,

But our skin becomes less flexible, more fragile.


I have seen this in healthcare the most. 

The best people I know carry the most emotional weight.


They show up everyday, they care everytime. 

They quietly absorb stress, grief, pressure and distress. 


Until one day, they don’t turn up to work. 

Until that day, their skin could no longer heal. 


Look after your emotional resilience as you would your skin. 

You protect it.

You moisturise it.

You give it time to heal.


Don’t wait until it splits open to finally take it seriously.


P.S. A throwback photo of the many times I would go for a nature walk in bonnie Scotland with my boy on days we needed a break!

I am teaming up with the awesome BiteLabs Digital Health team to answer all questions regarding HealthTech consulting next month! 

Do join us if you want to know more! 

Looking forwards to it!

🚨 LinkedIn Live | BiteLabs Digital Health × Medical Consulting Group

𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.

We're so excited to be joined by the incredible Dr. Zhong Wei Khor from Medical Consulting group for a masterclass on healthtech consulting.

If you’re a clinician curious about consulting, HealthTech, AI, startups, this session is for you.

Things we’ll cover:
◆ What “HealthTech consulting” really looks like in practice
◆ How clinicians can work with startups
◆ Common mistakes clinicians make when trying to enter the space
◆ How to build credibility, not just a LinkedIn title
◆ Real pathways into consulting

📅 Wednesday 18 February 2026
⏰ 15:00 (UK)
📍 LinkedIn Live (here)

Set a reminder and join us live.

#digitalhealth #healthtech #medicalconsultinggroup #bitelabsdigitalhealth #linkedinlive

Getting Your Start in HealthTech Consulting

Wed, Feb 18, 11:00 PM - 11:45 PM GMT+08:00

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