Leadership: How to shape and inform digital priorities
- 14 August 2024
Digital Health’s Advisory Panel invited representatives of the Shuri Network to join the panel last year. For Vicki Kong and Elohor Uwadiogbu it was a surprising and rewarding experience – and it underlined the need for the entire digital community to work together on core priorities
When I was asked to represent the Shuri Network on Digital Health’s CCIO Advisory Panel late last year, I wasn’t sure what impact the panel could have. After all, the Advisory Panel doesn’t sit within the NHS. But as I have come to learn, this is an advantage, because it allows its representatives a free rein to set the agenda and consult with the Digital Health Network on what is important to them. One result of this independence has been the Birmingham Declaration
The three core areas of the Birmingham Declaration are: digital leadership, national engagement, and innovation and research. It is important for Shuri members as a collective to have their say on these core areas so they can help shape and inform the next actions. We are a diverse community in terms of skill sets and backgrounds, but is there a common goal that the Shuri Network should prioritise? My gut feeling is that it should be digital leadership because women of colour are underrepresented in leadership positions – and changing this is the raison d’etre of the Shuri Network.
Vast experience and connections
Each month, the members of the Advisory Panel consider how they can support the Birmingham Declaration priorities. You can see how each member contributes with their vast experience and connections to networks, bouncing ideas against each other. As a guest, it was a privilege to observe and contribute where I could. But I also come to appreciate that each CCIO had a different background. The ability to switch or combine lenses when problem solving is an asset.
I suggested MSc dissertations from the NHS Digital Leadership Academy could be used as poster presentations at Digital Health’s Summer Schools to support shared learning in research. This idea snowballed into linking in with Imperial College, then linking in with presentations and speakers from Rewired and then encouraging people into research.
‘The Advisory Panel exceeded my expectations’
Being a member of the advisory panel was an enlightening experience that exceeded my initial expectations. I initially thought my role would be solely to represent the Shuri Network. However, from the very first meeting, I realised there was much more to it.
The panel offered a unique opportunity to shadow members of the panel and gain insights into how various digital ambitions could be achieved, including the Birmingham Declaration. I also found the panel meetings’ discussions around [Digital Health’s] mentorship program fascinating. This initiative provides a valuable framework for mentors to guide mentees towards available resources.
Beyond the shadowing and networking opportunities, being on the panel gave me the chance to attend Digital Health’s Summer Schools for the first time, thanks to the discounted rate ticket provided. This further contributed to my professional and personal development.
Overall, being a part of the advisory panel was an empowering and inspiring experience. My advice to future Shuri Network members joining the Advisory Panel is to fully engage and get involved in the key priorities outlined in the Birmingham Declaration. Embracing these opportunities leads to a rewarding and impactful experience.
The end result will be carefully considered outputs such as a white paper on early career conversations in digital health. While it’s important for panel members to advise and input with their expertise, it is also important for the wider digital community to ensure outputs are meaningful and tangible. And this requires individuals to reflect on their learning needs, accessibility of resources and the barriers that need to be overcome.
From my perspective, in a health inequalities role, I think of the need to open doors to people who need financial support. Shuri bursaries that allow people to access Summer Schools is a good example, but is there anything more we can do?
Shape tomorrow’s digital leaders
The Advisory Panel also seeks knowledge from institutions such as Health Data Research UK. A question I have posed to the panel, from an ICB perspective, is whether representation should now be expanded further to invite leaders from other organisations such as ICBs or other NHS organisations and social care because we are now expected to operate as a collaborative system.
Advisory Panel members are busy leaders who give up their time to participate in the panel. But we should all be doing what we can to support communities in digital health as this will in turn help shape leaders for tomorrow. How can the panel and the Birmingham Declaration framework support the Shuri Network in increasing the career development of [Shuri’s] members? I think Shuri’s representation on the panel is a start, but we also need to try to understand individuals who are unable to be present.
Vicki Kong is lead medicines optimisation pharmacist, NHS North East London, part of North East London Health and Care Partnership (NELHCP). She is also clinical lead, community pharmacy clinical project sponsor, Digital First, and clinical lead for population health management and health inequalities, Havering Integrated Team at Place, NELHCP.
