Digital Health Virtual Summer School attendees share their highlights

The Digital Health (Virtual) Summer School may be over for another year – but the Digital Health News team has rounded up all the best reaction and highlights that our attendees have shared.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant Digital Health had to make the 2020 edition of Summer School virtual. The two-day event blended video sessions and video diaries, live Q&A and panel discussions and keynote addresses.

Despite this change in format, attendees shared their positive views on social media. You can see the Tweets below.

Virtual conferences are the way forward – enjoying @DHSummerSchools – hoping most conferences retain a remote option – free, travel-free and I have been able to tune in intermittently whilst looking after my 10 week old daughter #DHVSS20

— Rosalind Adam (@rosadamaberdeen) July 24, 2020

Had some doubts that #DHVSS20 could meet the heights of previous years but today was absolutely brilliant. Massive respect to the everyone involved…..out with the badminton boys of North Nibley tonight (rough bunch), will be toasting @digitalhealth2 @HealthCION @DHCCIO 🙂🍺

— Andy Kinnear 🇪🇺 (@Andy_Kinnear) July 23, 2020

Well done to @DHSummerSchools for the virtual 2020 event. Brillant close to a couple of days of talented people coming together to discuss the digital success during unprecedented times and future challenges. Commending the diversity and inclusivity of this year’s sessions. pic.twitter.com/fJtPBn9ipr

— Sonia Patel (@chat2sonia) July 24, 2020

https://twitter.com/JemimaKA/status/1286671251948396546

What an amazing, insightful and informative #DHVSS20. It’s been a pleasure and privilege to be part of such a powerful, thought provoking two days. Superbly organised, professionally led and truly brilliant content. 👏👏🏼👏🏽👏🏿

— Jane Knox (@JaneKnox4) July 24, 2020

Very enjoyable @DHSummerSchools . The format and video conference tools very smooth. Enjoying @ReadmanLuke chairing a panel session. Even enjoyed the accommodation and breakfast 🥞 this morning !!! What’s for lunch 🥗 #DHVSS20 pic.twitter.com/NMxSISGFuf

— Shane Tickell (@ShaneTickell) July 23, 2020

HUGE well done to all those @digitalhealth2 for putting on such a great @DHSummerSchools – such great content, great speakers and fab platform. 👏👏👏 @journoandrea @HannahCrouch_DH and the rest of the team. pic.twitter.com/xOrxwEiU1d

— Matthew Stickland (@Matt_Stickers) July 24, 2020

Day One

The first day featured Sonia Patel, NHSX CIO, and Natasha Phillips, NHSX CNIO who said the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology but digital leaders must continue to promote their use once the crisis is over.

Very excited for this session at #DHVSS20 @DHSummerSchools with the fab @LisaEmNHS @chat2sonia @NatashaRoseP – live audience participation too 😀

Of course great to see such a strong #womenintech panel too 😍 @NetworkShuri @One_HealthTech 💪 pic.twitter.com/213gFB8SOW

— Aasha Cowey 💙 (@AashaCowey) July 23, 2020

Another highlight was the return of the Shuri Network – a year after their launch at the 2019 edition of Summer School.

Co-founder Dr Shera Chok launched the network with Sarah Amani and one year on, Dr Chok said it has taken off in a way she “couldn’t ever have imagined”.

“For the first time we are hearing the experiences of women of colour in digital health,” she added.

Happy Birthday @NetworkShuri What an inspirational and powerful talk on EDI today #DHVSS20 Excited to hear that there are some much needed initiatives underway led by some great digital leaders. Congratulations Shera and Sarah. pic.twitter.com/Iu6BF0lDGl

— Minal Patel (@MinalDX) July 23, 2020

#DHVSS20 highlight…@S_Amani & Dr Shera Chok talking about setting up @NetworkShuri a yr ago at Digital Health Summer School 19. My has it grown since then & so much more to come.
Please see website for shadowing opportunities & an @ukfci bursary scheme https://t.co/2Dxth1Rzr4 pic.twitter.com/wdNvBoSkmT

— Rafiah (@RafiahB) July 23, 2020

Day Two

The second and final day of the first Digital Health Virtual Summer School saw attendees gain global insight about the digital projects being rolled out in response to Covid-19.

It was an early start as attendees tuned into hear from the deputy director for general data and digital at New Zealand’s Ministry of Health who spoke about the country’s digital response to Covid-19.

Fantastic kick off presentation by Shayne Hunter @DHSummerSchools giving us an insight into the great work done in New Zealand during Covid to support digital processes. Food for thought and is there lessons in the UK that we could follow? #DHVSS20

— Ramandeep Kaur (@Ramandeep_kaur9) July 24, 2020

Attendees also heard from the former NHS England CCIO, Professor Keith McNeil, who said access to high quality data is essential for healthcare systems to “understand and cope” with chaos and complexities.

Prof McNeil, who is now the CCIO of Queensland Health in Australia, said the Covid-19 pandemic has also highlighted the “power of sharing information”.

Interesting comments from Prof Keith McNeill @DHSummerSchools
👉 Covid – “Uber” disrupter for healthcare
👉 disruption of complex systems causes chaos
👉 shared data and devolved decisions v.important
👉 Society Acts. Public health Responds. Health systems React. All need data

— Dr Colin Brown (@colinoscopy62) July 24, 2020

The two-day event was brought to a close by NHS England’s medical director of primary care, who said we “must keep” some of the digital services put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking during her closing keynote at Virtual Summer School Dr Nikki Kanani said the digital shift during the crisis was “one of the best things that’s happened”.

Brilliant closing keynote speech @NikkiKF on digital primary care. Access, minimising digital exclusion, hearing the voices of service users and communities are all so important as we go forward.
Thank you @DHSummerSchools @digitalhealth2 for a fabulous 2 days #DHVSS20 pic.twitter.com/VqU1XbGi7b

— TheShuriNetwork (@NetworkShuri) July 24, 2020

Thanks to everyone who attended the Digital Health Virtual Summer School. Our next virtual event is taking place on 18 August. Digital Health Networks: Midlands will showcase and discuss best practice on digital health and data within the region.