Olivia Burns

Olivia Burns is an independent healthcare consultant, healthtech entrepreneur, and long-term NHS patient, known for combining lived experience with strategic expertise to deliver meaningful, patient-led innovation across the healthcare sector.

As one of the first UK survivors of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Olivia has undergone a total of 21 surgeries including three novel open-heart surgeries at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Her lifelong journey as an NHS patient gives her a rare and powerful perspective—shaping her mission to design and implement solutions that genuinely serve patients' needs while advancing system-level transformation.

In recognition of her pioneering approach, Olivia was selected for the inaugural intake of the NHS Patient Entrepreneur Programme, where she plays a key role in championing patient involvement in medical innovation and policy development.

Olivia is the founder of Hypoplas, a medical design company that reimagines patient care through dignity, sustainability, and practical design. Her flagship product—a redesigned, patient-centric hospital gown—secured Innovate UK funding, international design rights, and commercial licensing agreements.

As a healthcare consultant, Olivia advises major players in the healthtech and medtech space on strategy, implementation, compliance, and growth. Her portfolio includes work with Siemens Healthineers, Proximie, Yenehealth, Future Medicine AI, and various UK health innovation networks.

Olivia holds an MBA in Health from UCL’s Global Business School for Health, where she received the Future Leaders Scholarship and UK ambassadorship for the business school.

Recognised with accolades such as Medilink’s One to Watch, Innovate UK’s Unlocking Potential, and TiE Global Women’s UK Finalist awards, as well as serving on the United Kingdom Digital Health and Care innovation committee. She regularly contributes to industry conversations on patient-led innovation. Speaking engagements include HETT North, BMJ Future Health, and the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons podcast. She is also a BMJ patient peer reviewer and a co-author for multiple policy defining journal articles.