Clinical Community Spotlight: Michaela Russell

Every month we’re sharing an insight into the vast range of clinical and non-clinical expertise which make up our Clinical Community. We’re kicking off the series with a spotlight on Michaela Russell, our Innovation Lead within the Clinical Directorate.

About Michaela

Michaela is a committed NHS procurement professional with a passion for improving access to innovative healthcare solutions.

Driven by a focus on patient value, she specialises in navigating complex procurement processes to ensure that cutting-edge products reach the frontline where they can make the greatest impact. Michaela excels at building strong stakeholder partnerships, identifying opportunities to drive efficiency, and supporting outcomes that benefit both patients and the wider health system.

A champion of innovation, Michaela is dedicated to advancing NHS capability by unlocking access to the latest advancements in healthcare ensuring innovation is not just introduced but adopted meaningfully across the system.

How the Innovation team supports the Clinical and Quality of Care Strategy

The Innovation team sits within the Clinical Directorate to lead and support activities with an outcome of putting patient care first. It is made up of Michaela and two Innovation Specialists, Fay Allen and Jo Norris.

The team have over 60 years experience across commercial and clinical roles, with two registered nurses leading the ongoing engagement and collaboration with innovators (suppliers) to ensure access via NHS Supply Chain for patient use.

By leveraging their combined expertise, the team collaborates and influences across the wider NHS landscape, sharing knowledge and insight to drive and promote efficiency, improved access, quality and value.

Our Corporate KPIs

Over the next 12 months Michaela and her team are focusing activities that support the access of eight disruptive innovations through collaboration with Commercial and Customer directorate colleagues.

Priorities: 

• Access
• Adoption and Spread
• Engagement and Marketing

See our Useful Links section to learn more about the Innovation team.

Life outside work

Michaela is often found at the side of a football pitch supporting junior football, for the teams her son plays for, or the young ones (pre teams) her husband coaches. On the days she doesn’t have her mum of a defender pom-poms in hand, she enjoys her newfound love for dancing in her body positive dance classes.

Michaela is keen to learn and develop in a new language and having a family history of hearing loss and deafness, is keen to continue her sign language journey. 

I am embracing and enjoying the ongoing discussions and learnings as a non-clinical member within the clinical directorate, I see that every new opportunity is a chance to lead change – where care meets creativity, and innovation drives impact.