The board of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has discussed its current position and future plans on digital systems, data, and digital workforce capability and training.
Current priorities include its patient portal and NHS App for patients, and ambient voice technology (AVT) and Copilot for staff, the board highlights, with a new digital strategy in development for 2026-31.
Pursuing AVT at scale is reliant on clinical capacity for pathway redesign, as well as operational ownership and the completion of clinical safety controls, it continues. An operational working group has been established to oversee engagement and implementation, and a deployment plan and associated metrics have been agreed.
Outlining progress toward plans to implement a shared EPR system across Liverpool, the board assurance framework rates the business case, governance, and benefits as Red, “due to external dependencies and decision points on scope/standardisation”.
Also discussed is the “major ambition” to strengthen data infrastructure, including through linked clinical, imaging, and molecular datasets to support AI research, advanced analytics, and personalised cancer medicine. Investments have been made in digital platforms and systems to support research delivery, the trust states, such as a bespoke laboratory information management system supporting its HTA-licensed biobank, which is currently being enhanced to allow sample processing for clinical trials.
A data environment and trusted research environment are in development, the board goes on, in support of a broad-based consent programme to promote patient participation in research. Imaging and AI research is further being supported with the use of specialist imaging infrastructure and the EYE-CAN-AID imaging biobank, which it notes “provide the capability to develop imaging biomarkers, apply machine learning approaches and integrate imaging with clinical datasets”.
Digital capabilities across the workforce is being supported through a number of initiatives, the trust shares, including the Nursing and AHP Commitments and associated REFORM programme, intended to develop digital confidence, innovation, and data literacy so staff can “contribute to digitally enabled service improvement, research and patient care”.
Undergraduate and postgraduate learners are provided with access to relevant digital systems alongside clinical skills training, according to the board, enabling them to safely develop digital and clinical competencies in practice environments. Pre-registration nursing students are supported with using the trust EPR via the Attensi platform, working through simulation-based modules before being granted full access.
Wider trend: Digital transformation in Liverpool
University Hospitals of Liverpool Group has noted “significant progress on cyber security” and the data security and protection toolkit. The board of directors highlighted strong assurance in cyber security management, information risk oversight, information incident management, data quality improvement, clinical coding assurance, and the ongoing digitisation of records. 38 of 41 outcomes were recorded as “standards met” at LUHFT in the DSPT cyber assessment framework submitted last year, it states. An internal audit for DSPT provided an improvement plan for supply chain, identification verification authentication and authorisation, and vulnerability management, with seven of 11 recommendations now implemented.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has published findings from a study to highlight that £5.2 million in social value has been generated by a £500,000 investment across the Liverpool City Region’s Life Sciences Innovation Zone. The Citizen First LCR programme is designed to help people turn their lived experiences of health and care challenges into innovative businesses. One of the success stories is an AI-powered sleep platform, MySleepHealth, that aims to support people living with autism, ADHD, insomnia, and shift work disorder by combining AI technology and evidence-based sleep guidance. Over the last 12 months, the platform has been built, investment has been secured, and NHS trials are about to begin, the combined authority notes.
An AI Task Force has been established for the Liverpool City region, bringing together senior leaders from across industry, academia, healthcare, and public services to lead on ambitions for AI research, health innovation, and digital transformation. Nicola Hodson, former chief executive of IBM UK & Ireland, has been named as chair, with 14 other members being selected to shape the task force. Among them is Kate Warriner, chief transformation and digital officer at Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority outlines aims for the task force to advise on the development of AI in support of strengthened public services and inclusive economic growth, working with local teams to design innovative solutions for the public sector.
