Digital Health Summer School 2021 returns online

The Digital Health Summer School returns for a second online edition, promising two-days of essential online networking, learning and best practice.

Running 15-16 July, the event will focus on the latest leadership challenges of NHS digitisation, how to harness the shift in culture and attitudes towards digital, and what the next steps are for digital transformation.

The two-day event, dedicated to chief clinical information officers (CCIO), chief information officers (CIO), chief nursing information officers (CNIO) and others leading NHS IT, provides a unique opportunity to learn from digital health leaders across the UK, Ireland and further afield.

After the success of last year’s Virtual Summer School, this year’s event will include live streams of key sessions as well as case studies, panel discussions, workshops and masterclasses, plus extra time dedicated to networking.

Last year’s keynotes included Matthew Gould, CEO of NHSX, Sarah Wilkinson CEO of NHS Digital, and Sonia Patel CIO at NHSX and Natasha Phillips, CNIO at NHSX, as well as an update from the Shuri Network and keynote sessions from New Zealand and Australia delivered in partnership with Health Informatics New Zealand and the Australasian Institute for Digital Health.

This year promises another strong line-up of keynote speakers and sessions to be announced in the coming months.

The aim of Virtual Summer School remains to bring together a diverse range of the best NHS digital health leaders for sharing, learning and relaxed networking.

Jon Hoeksma, CEO of Digital Health, said: “As well as a strong programme we want to make sure that we deliver enjoyable online networking and will be bringing some fresh new ways to make the event as interactive as possible.”

All members of the Digital Health CCIO, CIO and CNIO Networks, and our international partners, are invited to join us in what will be an educational and fun two days.

Dr James Reed, chair of the Digital Health CCIO Network, said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Summer School. These events have been a really important part of the journey we have been on in establishing clinical leadership in digital health and everyone who has attended has benefitted greatly from them.

“Last year’s event provided a touch point in the midst of the pandemic and even online it was great to reconnect with everybody.

“I really hope that as many as possible will set aside the time to attend and participate. If you have never come to a Summer School before, this is the perfect time to start.”

Jo Dickson, chair of the CNIO Network, added: “Looking forward, as always, to this year’s Summer School. Having attended several times, both in person and last year virtually, it is always a highlight of my year.

“The opportunity to hear presentations which really demonstrate the breadth of activity, and truly innovative ideas, across clinical informatics is fantastic. I also really enjoy the networking and collaboration opportunities it gives, and as chair of the CNIO network I particularly enjoy the opportunity to network with nursing, midwifery and AHP colleagues.”

If you are a Summer School regular or taking part for the first time, please join us for what promises to be a great event. You can register to attend here.

The Digital Health Virtual Summer School is free for all members of the CCIO, CIO, CNIO networks, and our international partners. The networks are free to join for the NHS and public sector, you can find out more or join here.