NHS Providers, in partnership with NHSX and Health Education England, have published their third guide, ‘how trusts can build a good digital strategy’ as part of its digital boards series.
The latest guide follows the building and enabling digital teams guide, and aims to support trust leaders sustain the momentum on digital built up during the pandemic.
It’s been designed for board leaders and is split into two parts, ‘what makes a successful digital strategy’ and ‘questions for boards’.
The document highlights what a good strategy should include and what it needs to be successful. It highlights a strategy must be integrated across a system and be aligned to trust-level strategies, be user-centred, provide guiding principles, be widely understood, focused and realistic.
It also includes what makes a poor digital strategy, highlighting IT driven programmes, not focusing on fixing the basics, including measurable objectives, or creating a ‘wish list’.
Over recent months HTN has covered a range of digital strategies, highlighting some excellent examples of communication and branding, and some taking differing approaches to their tone of voice and style. One strategy we found interesting was from North Staffordshire Combined, with their ‘Digital by Choice’ plan aligned with other strategies across the organisation.
Here are some digital strategies we have recently covered:
- New digital strategy for Wales launched
- From paper to digital pathways: WHO launches first ‘SMART Guidelines’
- Surrey and Borders Partnership publishes new digital strategy
- NHS Business Services Authority launches new digital strategy
- North Staffordshire Combined launches Digital by Choice Strategy
- Kettering General publishes cloud-first policy strategy
- North East & North Cumbria ICS releases new digital strategy
- CQC focuses on tech transformation in new draft strategy
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.”
To read the guide please click here.
