Digital Transformation in Integrated Care Systems
- Kate Walker, Digital Programme Director at Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care System
- Katherine Church, Chief Digital Officer at Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System
- Sally Rennison, VP of Sale at Patients Know Best
- Mark Davies, CMO, EMEA at IBM
We first heard from Kate on her achievements at Suffolk & North East Essex (SNEE) ICS, which she described not as an institution but a “way of working” in a particular area. SNEE are aiming to put the patient at the centre of their work, reducing widening health inequalities by re-imagining health and care.
Kate outlined the data-driven approach at SNEE, where they employ a cyclical process between infrastructure and transformation to achieve their aims. Kate recognised that while focussing on the building blocks of digitisation is essential, the emphasis on using them to transform services must be maintained.
Katherine echoed the importance of building on solid digital foundations in her presentation, drawing on her previous experience in the private sector and emphasising the complexity of the ICS landscape, where there is a multiplicity of stakeholders to account for. Katherine spoke to the benefits of making the most of local assets to enable a joined-up view of health and social care.
Kate and Katherine both provided an overview of several ongoing projects in their regions. For instance, Surrey Heartlands is currently developing a Patient Portal, encouraging citizens to engage with the ICS in a digital manner and working to engender trust that data is secure and the platform is easy to use.
We also heard from Sally Rennison at Patients Know Best, who observed that digital transformation in ICSs was not just about “what good looks like”, but “what bad has looked like in the past” and how we can learn from this. Sally called for central recognition that mistakes are both inevitable and that reflecting on them is essential to improving our services.
Mark Davies also noted that there has been a considerable increase in the maturity of thinking around the contribution digital can make. While we have traditionally “thrown people at problems”, there is now broad recognition that this is not the way we will recover the NHS and tackle current challenges. Digital transformation is crucial, and there is considerable expectation being placed on the costed transformation plans that ICSs have been asked to put together and what needs to go in around infrastructure. So far, the task of digitising providers has crowded out the equally important tasks of digitising between providers, as well as between systems and citizens. These next two steps will be critical.
You can watch the full recording here:
As ICSs are placed on statutory footing ahead of April 2022, techUK will be looking to hold a series of industry event and engagement opportunities. If you are a public sector stakeholder or techUK member with experience working with ICSs, please reach out to [email protected] get involved.
Robert Walker
Robert Walker
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
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Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
Clara Hewitt
Clara Hewitt
Clara joined techUK in October 2023. She brings experience across a range of domestic and global health issues, with particular focus on digital health, HIV/AIDS and climate change and health.
Clara holds an MSc in Global Health and Development (University College London) and a BSc in Psychology (University of Birmingham).
Rachel Kennedy
Rachel Kennedy
Rachel joined techUK in December 2024, as a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team.
Prior to this, Rachel worked at a specialist health and social care public affairs agency, working with a range of organisations and trade bodies across the medical technology, pharmaceutical, digital health and social care sectors. As well as this, Rachel was part of the Secretariat for a number of health and care related All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Rachel has a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Leeds, as well as a first-class honours in Politics BA from Newcastle University.
Tracy Modha
Tracy Modha
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
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