BCS officially opens CHIME UK chapter

The British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT, has officially opened the CHIME International UK Chapter.

The “landmark agreement”, which was signed in September 2019, allows BCS members to 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.

Lucy Ireland, BCS managing director, said: “BCS has been at the cutting edge of health and care in recent years and has around 2,000 BCS members in this sector. The launching of the CHIME International Chapter in the UK is an exciting opportunity to expand our support for the leaders of tomorrow.

“Now that the CHCIO site for BCS members is live we are really looking forward to welcoming the many senior staff who will sign up for this qualification, enabling them to showcase their skills and professionalism in healthcare.”

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.

Jane Dwelly, executive director international at CHIME, said: “We are thrilled to bring the benefits of CHIME membership to leaders working in health and care IT.

“By joining this international family of professionals, BCS members will be supported with high quality resources and a network of peers as they use health IT to improve patient care.”