Last month I met with Chris Turner from Civility Saves Lives, who immediately recognised Theatre Badge Hats as a smart and practical response to a long-standing communication challenge in operating theatres. He offered his full support for our mission, emphasising the importance of clear staff identification for teamwork, safety and psychological safety across clinical environments.

A brilliant trip to Leeds as part of the Propel Healthtech programme provided the opportunity to learn from CEOs and industry leaders about scaling an organisation with purpose. These sessions are directly shaping the roadmap for our future growth, helping ensure we expand sustainably while remaining firmly grounded in our core values of safety, communication and environmental responsibility.

One of the biggest challenges NHS trusts faces is finding the capital needed to purchase hats and badges. A conversation with Paul Johnson, CEO of Radar Healthcare, helped clarify that the primary barrier to implementation is often the initial investment required, especially when compared to ongoing disposable consumables. In response, we are now exploring a rental model so hospitals can repurpose existing consumables budgets to rent our hats rather than buy disposables. Our aim is always to work with each hospital in the way that best supports them.

Run by Aston Centre for Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, I was delighted to progress to the finals of the Pitch Up competition at Venture Fest. Presenting at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux Stadium on 10th March was both daunting and inspiring.

Out of 66 businesses, shortlisted to 20, then 8 invited to pitch — whittled down to the final 3. Although the overall win went to Revibed Drinks, the experience provided an invaluable platform to raise awareness of Theatre Badge Hats and I was delighted to be a runner up.

I received phenomenal feedback and encouraging interest from investors and venture capital groups. I am also excited to attend the winners lunch, along with mentoring support worth up to £1,500 and a £1,000 cash prize!

Following my appearance at Pitch Up, I also received an invitation to the Amazon Accelerator innovation programme, with a view to applying for the Amazon Innovation Awards. Thank you to Karolina Jagodzinska for the invitation.

18th March: Following Venture Fest, I received an invitation to attend a Parliamentary round-table discussion with key policymakers.

15th April: Our planned Parliamentary visit has gained the backing of another MP, along with overwhelming support from the Royal College of Midwives. Their leadership team will be joining us following the national interest sparked by February's Interim Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services. After seeing the impact of our hats at Great Western in Swindon, they are keen to highlight how our innovation supports improved communication, visibility and teamwork.

With the NHS performing around five million operations annually and NHS litigation costs reaching £3.1 billion in 2024–25 (maternity services accounting for £1.6 billion), even small improvements in communication could contribute to reducing this burden and improving care.

In 2025, 45% of births — approximately 270,000 — were by caesarean sections, and more than 90% were performed under regional (awake) anaesthesia. For mothers and birth partners, not knowing who is present in the room can heighten anxiety at an already vulnerable time. Patient focus groups consistently highlight that the inability to identify staff affects trust and perceived quality of care. This aligns closely with the Baroness Amos Report. Theatre Badge Hats provide reassurance, clarity and a more human connection when it matters most.

The new vodcast featuring UHCW Net Zero Manager Liz Fitzhugh is now available. The Virginia Mason Institute has trained leaders in more than twenty-five countries and brings exceptional expertise in patient-centred improvement.

I am also excited to be joining Tim East to discuss the Theatre Badge Hat range, the motivation behind creating it, and the invaluable support received from Propel Healthtech so far.

We offer sample packs so your team can evaluate Theatre Badge Hats before placing a full order. The cost of the sample pack is fully refundable upon your first purchase.