Rachel Dunscombe has been appointed as the CEO of the NHS Digital Academy, marking a pivotal moment in the journey of digital transformation within the NHS. This appointment reinforces the commitment to equip NHS leaders with essential digital skills for future advancements.
Visionary Leadership in Digital Health
Rachel Dunscombe’s appointment as the chief executive of the NHS Digital Academy underscores her role as a pivotal figure in steering digital innovation in healthcare. With her extensive background as the CIO of Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Dunscombe is expected to lead the academy towards comprehensive digitisation of healthcare services across the UK.
She has articulated a clear vision for integrating advanced digital training into healthcare management, emphasizing the need for well-trained professionals to enhance patient care quality. Her strategic outlook aims to address the critical requirements identified in the Wachter review of technology in the NHS.
Strategic Collaborations and Funding
Imperial College, Edinburgh University, and Salford Royal NHS FT form the core consortium behind the NHS Digital Academy’s establishment. This consortium, benefiting from partnerships with prestigious institutions such as Harvard University’s medical school, has secured a £4 million contract to initiate this pivotal programme.
The academy will serve as a dual hub, with Imperial College leading the southern operations and Salford Royal overseeing the northern activities. This geographical division aims to maximise outreach and effectiveness across the UK.
Programme Goals and Structure
The NHS Digital Academy aims to train 300 digital leaders over the next three years through a blend of online and residential learning modules.
This initiative prioritises leaders from global digital exemplars in hospitals and mental health sectors, aligning with the strategic goal to bolster digital expertise in these critical areas.
Recruitment for the inaugural cohort is underway, setting the stage for significant advancements in digital leadership skills across the NHS.
Addressing the Wachter Review Recommendations
The Academy is a direct response to the 2016 Wachter review, which highlighted the urgent need for a digitally skilled workforce within the NHS. Investment in health IT professionals, including trained CCIOs and ‘clinician-informaticists,’ is crucial for effective healthcare transformation.
The review advocated placing clinicians with advanced informatics training in every trust, estimating each trust requires at least five such roles. This academy aims to fulfil these critical staffing needs.
Integrating Learning with Practical Application
The academy’s curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, crucial for effective leadership in digital health transformation. Emphasising real-world problem-solving, the training modules are designed to enhance the digital competencies of NHS leaders.
Residential learning sessions will start in 2018, offering immersive experiences that complement the online coursework. This dual approach seeks to balance convenience with the depth of learning.
Rachel Dunscombe’s Vision for the Future
Dunscombe is driven by her passion for improving patient care through digitisation. She believes that equipping NHS leaders with digital skills will drive meaningful change across healthcare services.
In her own words, she expressed excitement about the academy and highlighted its role in transforming NHS care through technological advancements.
Recruitment and First Steps Forward
Recruitment has begun for the first cohort of the academy, targeting existing NHS CCIOs and CIOs.
The programme aims to cultivate a new breed of digital leaders capable of spearheading transformative projects within the NHS.
Rachel Dunscombe’s leadership at the NHS Digital Academy represents a significant shift towards embracing digital transformation in healthcare. With her at the helm, the NHS is well-positioned to advance its digital capabilities and improve patient care through targeted training and strategic initiatives.
