Updates on digital transformation projects and initiatives were shared during North West London Acute Provider Collaborative’s (NWL APC) latest board meeting, including on data strategy, IT infrastructure, an ambient voice pilot, and other areas of collaboration.
The NWL APC strategy for 2024 – 2027 was published last year, sharing priorities and plans to “address complex, system-wide issues more effectively in the years ahead”. It outlined the “enormous innovative potential” offered by the scale of shared infrastructure across the collaborative, suggesting uses for research and the introduction of technologies such as AI in enhancing care, developing more personalised patient experiences, and increasing productivity. It announced in September that it had appointed a joint CIO, Robbie Cline, with the hopes that this would “further strengthen joined up working”.
The implementation of a voice recognition service for clinical documents across all trusts in the collaborative was noted. A pilot is underway to evaluate the potential for the technology to interpret clinical conversations and integrate summaries into clinical systems.
Progress on the Federated Data Platform was shared, with an agreement on a roadmap reached in June, and the next phase set to focus on embedding the modules and scaling adoption.
Plans for 2025/26 are to join up IT infrastructure across the collaborative, incorporating data centres, networks, and computers, addressing technical challenges, improving adoption, and ensuring IT infrastructure projects will be “effectively integrated into clinical workflows”.
Risks were discussed relating to sustained funding for the NWL personal health record, and care information exchange, with a decision made that continuing with the existing system for 24 months would be the best approach to ensure continuity of the service.
With the contract for the current advice and guidance system due to end in March 2026, a steering group has been established to evaluate the current system and funding opportunities to integrate clinical systems with national products such as ERS.
The APC shared updates on current collaborative projects, supporting recommendations to implement a single point of access, enhanced digital infrastructure, and system-wide interoperability for ophthalmology services in the region, and on collecting a “data and activity baseline”.
A proposal was supported to test the market for a development partner for the digital transformation of HR services, and an update on the implementation of a joint learning and reporting system was given, stating that work is ongoing to align processes with the expectation that the system will go live “no later than January 2026”.
Finally, the APC highlighted developments around e-rostering at London North West University Healthcare, with “strong outcomes” such as an 80 percent satisfaction rate, a 1.2 percent reduction in sickness-related absence, and £330,000 in savings during the pilot phase.
Health tech collaboration
HTN welcomed a panel of experts from across the health sector for a recent HTN Now webinar to discuss scaling health technologies, focusing on digital projects and programmes successfully scaled at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, University Hospitals of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, as well as approaches, challenges, and how to embrace new models of collaboration and leadership. Panellists included Will Monaghan, group CDIO at University Hospitals of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire; David Holland, deputy CCIO for AHPs at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; and Debbie Hale, deputy CNIO for nursing at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB recently highlighted progress on its digital strategy, covering its shared care record, federated data platform, Microsoft 365 Co-pilot, and the launch of its strategic digital collaborative, a joint venture with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB. The aim of the collaboration is to allow both ICBs to take advantage of digital opportunities from across the two systems, and to provide an overarching digital strategic vision for health and care within the East Midlands Combined Authority boundary. Focus areas for joint working have been identified across cyber security, digital procurement, the sharing of best practice, and digital enablement – benefits realisation.
A recent board meeting has outlined the role, remit, purpose, and agenda of a new Joint Infrastructure Committee launched by The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. Following approval from both trust boards, terms of reference have now been submitted to the committee for formal endorsement. Its purpose is to oversee the development of digital, estate, and sustainability plans including regenerative opportunities with partners to improve and rationalise the trust’s estate, save money, or improve efficiency. The committee will also be responsible for ensuring alignment with the 10-Year Health Plan, providing oversight to both boards on aspects of infrastructure supporting high quality patient care, and obtaining “objective assurance” on digital, data and technology, including risks and investment cases.
