CHIME launches UK chapter in ‘landmark agreement’ with BCS

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has launched a UK chapter after signing a “landmark agreement” with British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT.

The agreement means BCS members can access CHIME’s online materials and gain admission to the CHIME Healthcare CIO (CHCIO) qualification programme, an internationally-recognised qualification of senior leadership in health IT.

BCS members will also be able to attend educational and networking opportunities at key events in the health and care calendar, in countries where CHIME has existing chapters.

BCS said the new agreement formed part of its ongoing campaign to promote the adoption of recognised professional standards by healthcare IT staff.

Adam Thilthorpe, director for professionalism at BCS said: “We fully support national policy ambitions to build digital leadership in the NHS workforce. BCS members working in health and care have already shown a commitment to professional development and recognition.

“Our members will use CHIME’s materials to address personal development needs, and many will qualify as CHCIO and count themselves as part of an international cadre of digital health leaders.”

CHIME is a US-based professional membership organisation serving chief information officers (CIOs), chief nursing information officers (CNIOs), chief digital officers (CDOs) and other senior healthcare IT leaders.

The organisation allows industry leaders to collaborate, exchange best practices and address professional development needs, with the aim being to advocate the effective use of information management in order to improve healthcare.

Today, CHIME serves more than 2,900 chief information officers and senior healthcare executives in 56 countries.

Russell Branzell, CHIME’s president and CEO, said: “CHIME is committed to serving membership organisations like BCS to bring professional training and accreditation to leaders working in health and care IT.

“Now, more than ever before, these individuals are taking on responsibility for data, enterprise IT systems and population health analytics and we stand ready to support them grow into exceptional leaders, because we truly believe health IT has the power to transform patient care.”

Founded in 1992, CHIME now has nine international chapters.

In 2019, it established chapters in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

It launched an India chapter in 2017.

CHIME has also signed letters of intent for partnerships with organisations in Canada, Ireland and Israel.

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