Former NHS chief clinical information officer (CCIO) Dr Simon Eccles expressed concerns about the lack of clear career pathways for individuals seeking digital roles in the NHS.
Speaking at the Digital Health Networks Exchange event in London on 28 June 2024, Eccles highlighted the absence of opportunities for those interested in pursuing a digital career within the NHS.
Eccles, who served as the national NHS CCIO for four years before stepping down in 2022, described the current situation as a “career rockface” with uncertain paths and loose rocks at the top.
Joining Eccles in the discussion were James Freed, deputy director at NHS Digital Academy, and Kenny Oniti, senior teaching fellow at Imperial College London, who also addressed the challenges in career development in digital health leadership.
Freed shared insights from a recent study revealing the high failure rate of digital initiatives within the NHS, citing issues related to technology, resources, and organizational culture as key factors.
Meanwhile, Andrew Griffiths, chief executive of the Federation for Health Informatics Professionals (FEDIP), acknowledged the ongoing efforts to establish competencies required for digital roles in the sector, including the FEDIP’s future digital leaders bursary programme.
The exploration of career paths in NHS leadership was further discussed in an episode of Digital Health Unplugged, emphasizing the need for clear pathways and support for individuals aspiring to lead in the digital healthcare space.
Additionally, a leaked NHS England report highlighted a shortage of digital nurse specialists, posing a potential hindrance to the progress of technology-driven healthcare initiatives.
