CCIO Leaders Network conference launched

The programme has been announced for the first ever CCIO Leaders Network Annual Conference, which will take place alongside EHI Live 2012 in Birmingham in November.

The two-day conference will focus on the need for chief clinical information officers at all levels of the NHS and report back on the roadshows the network has held this year.

EHealth Insider editor Jon Hoeksma said: “In the six months since it was set up, the CCIO Leaders Network has done a terrific job of building the case for chief clinical information officers and providing support and networking opportunities for CCIOs and those aspiring to become CCIOs.

“The first, annual conference will build on that start. It will provide an exciting opportunity to hear from some of the NHS’ clinical information pioneers, and provide a forum for debate on the issues that still need to be tackled if all NHS organisations are to have a CCIO in the future.”

In June last year, EHealth Insider launched the EHI CCIO Campaign, to call for all NHS organisations to consider appointing a clinical champion for IT and information projects.

The campaign received rapid support from EHI readers, companies, royal medical colleges and ministers, and the first CCIO appointments were unveiled at EHI Live last November.

In March this year, the CCIO Leaders Network was set up to support the CCIOs already in place in the NHS, to encourage more to be appointed, and to support young clinicians with an interest in informatics.

It has been holding a series of roadshows to explore different elements of the CCIO role.

The inaugural CCIO Leaders Network Annual Conference will build on the shows, while enabling visitors to the EHI Live 2012 conference and exhibition to find out more.

Confirmed sessions will look at the case for CCIOs, how they can work in different settings, including mental health and clinical commissioning, and at how they can work effectively with colleagues – including the IT director.

Hoeksma said: “EHI Live has established itself as the conference and exhibition for everybody working in healthcare IT in the UK.

“Bringing this exciting new conference to the event will put clinicians at the heart of the debate about the future of IT and information in the NHS.

“It will also give its participants a chance to learn more about some of the exciting new technology that is available, and how it is being used in trusts across the UK.”

The inaugural CCIO Leaders Network Annual Conference will take place alongside EHI Live 2012.

EHI Live 2012 is a two day conference and exhibition that will take place at the NEC in Birmingham on 6-7 November 2012. The conference will feature an exciting rosta of speakers, including Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, and confidentiality expert Dame Fiona Caldicott.

The free exhibition will include more than 100 stands, showcasing the latest in healthcare IT, alongside popular feature areas, such as the best practice showcase of great work going on around the country. More information about the show, how to register, and how to book a stand can all be found on the EHI Live 2012 website.