Digital Health Networks 2024 mentoring scheme celebrated

Digital Health Networks’ 2024 mentoring programme has received positive feedback from mentors and mentees, ahead of the launch of the expanded 2025 programme.

The 2024 programme launched in October 2023 to support aspiring, emerging and senior digital leaders in chief clinical information officer (CCIO), chief information officer (CIO) and chief nursing information officer (CNIO) equivalent roles.

Mentoring was carried out by Digital Health Networks advisory panel members during six virtual group sessions over a six month period.

Simon Wallace, CCIO and director of business strategy at Microsoft, who acted as a mentor, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the process and felt that I was making a contribution to their development as digital IT leaders in healthcare.”

Mentees said that the programme helped them to grow as digital leaders by giving them a clearer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

“Regular guidance and encouragement from my mentor has bolstered my confidence in tackling complex digital challenges and taking on tasks beyond my usual responsibilities.

“This has pushed me out of my comfort zone and increased my confidence in my abilities and leadership.

“Additionally, discussions about real-world problems have sharpened my problem-solving skills and taught me to approach challenges more creatively and strategically,” one CCIO mentee said.

A CIO group mentee said: “The opportunity for open and honest conversations amongst peers is unique and to be able to do this in an environment where there is no judgement and impartial advice received is invaluable.

“I feel more confident now to apply myself to areas I would not have considered prior to this opportunity, and I find myself thinking more innovatively.”

Programme participants also shared their positive mentoring experiences during a workshop at a Digital Health Summer Schools in July 2024 in Durham.

2025 expansion

The 2025 mentoring programme will include two new streams from the Digital Health Clinical Safety Officer Council, which formed in July 2024, and alumni of Imperial College London’s Digital Health Leadership Programme (DHLP), which has been delivering the NHS Digital Academy programme since 2018.

The DHLP alumni mentoring stream was established with Digital Health Networks, to support emerging NHS digital leaders with health informatics, business strategy and leadership.

Juliette van Wessem, head of programmes, Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College, said: “One of the main drivers behind the NHS Digital Academy programme in DHLP was the establishment of a community of practice for digital leaders across the NHS landscape.

“There isn’t exactly a blueprint for the successful implementation of digital change projects which you can apply to any situation, and so the knowledge and experience already present in this community is such a valuable resource.

“I am really excited to see how the mentors and mentees fare over the next year, and massively grateful to our alumni for offering their time and expertise to the next generation of changemakers.”

There are 11 mentors from the DHLP alumni community, who will each be assigned a small group of the 37 mentees taking part in the 2025 programme.

The Digital Health Networks 2025 mentoring programme will run from January to June 2025.