NHS Providers shines a light on good digital strategy

What a good digital strategy looks like is the latest guide published by NHS Providers as part of the Digital Boards programme.

The guide aims to support trust leaders sustain the momentum on digital built up during the pandemic.

It describes what a good digital strategy looks like and sets out useful questions for all boards leaders to assure themselves that their digital strategy is on track. Useful materials and examples from the NHS and other sectors are signposted throughout the publication.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “Trust leaders are reappraising their digital ambitions in light of the changes made during the sector’s response to Covid-19. Many organisations are refreshing or renewing their digital strategies in order to set a clear vision for the future.

“All board members need to take responsibility for their digital strategy. Our guide is therefore designed for those directly involved in digital transformations, and others who have an oversight role and will review, approve and assure that the digital strategy is on track.

“The Digital Boards programme, supported by HEE and NHSX, continues to offer free development sessions for individual trust boards to support them in these conversations.”

Building a digital strategy has been jointly produced by NHS Providers and Public Digital, in partnership with Health Education (HEE) and NHSX.

Sonia Patel, chief information officer at NHSX, added: “NHSX is delighted to be sponsoring the work NHS Providers is leading to improve digital confidence at board level. Over the last year the Digital Boards programme has engaged 650 trust board members through virtual events and board development sessions. I would encourage trust leaders to get in touch with the NHS Providers team to find out how their trust can get involved.”

The Digital Boards programme has also published two other guides; ‘a new era of digital leadership’ and ‘building and enabling digital teams’.