Welcome to the November edition of The Digital Academy Newsletter. Here is your monthly round up of all things happening in The Digital Academy and system partners, including learning opportunities, news, updates, events and learning spotlights. Please do email us with your thoughts and feedback and forward to colleagues who may wish to sign up.
Learning opportunities
Copilot Chat learning webinars for the NHS
Microsoft have launched a series of Copilot Chat learning webinars for the NHS. Each webinar has a capacity of 500 learners and content has been created with an NHS worker in mind. The webinar is designed for NHS workers to explore the functionality of Microsoft Copilot Chat and to show how the free version of Copilot Chat can benefit your normal day. Register here.
The NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI opens applications for Cohort 5 (Aug 2026-Aug 2027)
Recruitment for cohort 5 of the NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI is now open. Applications will be considered from NHS clinicians on statutorily regulated professional registers. Fellows undertake this post at 2 days a week for 12 months alongside their work or training to develop real-world expertise in clinical AI. They are matched to existing clinical AI projects to learn the safe deployment and evaluation of AI in clinical workflows under expert supervision as part of a multidisciplinary team. This is supported by a cutting-edge programme of teaching including masterclass workshops in AI centres of excellence across the NHS. The fellowship and its alumni form an active and enduring expert network of clinical AI leaders. Application window is 10 Nov-15 Dec 2025. Find out more and apply here.
Latest news
Why digital literacy is the hidden clinical competency the NHS cannot ignore
Digital competence is becoming as fundamental to clinical practice as communication or teamwork. Yet, many NHS staff still begin their careers without the confidence or skills to use the systems that underpin modern healthcare. James Freed, our Deputy Director, NHS Digital Academy, explains why digital literacy must now be recognised as a core clinical competency, essential for patient safety, workforce wellbeing, and the long-term success of the NHS. Read more.
Technology increasingly cited as reason for NHS staff leaving jobs
Healthcare staff are quitting the sector because of a lack of digital literacy skills which leads them to struggle with technology, according to James Freed, our Deputy Director of the NHS Digital Academy who spoke recently at the BMJ Future Health conference. Read more.
Why AI could be the best medicine for the NHS
As the NHS releases the latest results from its Microsoft 365 Copilot trial, hear from Microsoft as they reflect on AI’s potential to deliver the biggest digital transformation in healthcare yet. Read more.
Recent and upcoming events
Building workforce digital confidence and competence: what works and what doesn't
Last month the NHS Digital Academy went to HETT and conducted a workshop with educators working in the NHS on what works and what doesn’t in building workforce digital confidence and competence. It was incredibly well attended – not a free seat in the venue, and the quality of contribution was excellent. Discover more.
Digital Health Rewired
Digital Health Rewired, the biggest trade show connecting all parts of the UK health IT sector and digital health community, returns for 2026 with new stages, new show features and an expanded exhibition area.The show, taking place on 24-25 March 2026 at the NEC in Birmingham, connects health care providers and planners, researchers, academics, established industry leaders, suppliers, start-ups and patients interested in how digital tools can improve healthcare.
The event will expand its focus of AI and data with twin stages exploring all aspects of use of AI and data across health and care. Register here.
Recently published
User research insights into the digital and data confidence and competence of NHS staff in England
Digital and data confidence and competence are crucial in today’s technology-driven NHS. Together these attributes empower individuals to navigate digital and data environments proficiently, fostering innovation and productivity. The Digital Academy has undertaken user research which draws from a comprehensive learning needs analysis and subsequent research with NHS Educators including interactions through are invaluable special interest group. Join our FutureNHS community to access the findings. Read more.
Developing digital literacy with people who have low or no digital skills
Mary Booth at the Good Things Foundation the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, shines a light on their work developing the Learn My Way platform of learning content and their digital inclusion mission, tackling barriers and reaching for digital ‘self-efficacy’. Read more.
Implementation and scaling of AI in healthcare and socialcare
Discover how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape health and social care in England in the King's Fund's latest long read. The King’s Fund explores the challenges of implementing and scaling AI from workforce readiness, governance and digital maturity, to how providers can work together to spread innovation.
AI in healthcare – staying ahead of the issues
Jennifer Dixon, CEO of the Health Foundation reflects on the need to track and anticipate AI developments in the near term, while flipping our mindset from a tendency to see the risk rather than benefit. She gives an overview of the key issues that emerged at their AI in the NHS summit. Read her blog.
Learning spotlight
My journey with Co-pilot – from curiosity to building agents
Hear from Vincent Young, Senior Finance Manager, Financial Services, NHS North East London Health and Care Partnership as he takes us through the steps in growing his expertise to mastering Microsoft Co-pilot and collaborating with us in the Digital Academy. Curious, yet cautious he takes us on the journey in stages, reflecting on what he has learned on the way recognising the importance of training and sharing his excitement in the potential of artificial intelligence as a partner in transformation.
Digital profession
Digital education roles updated on Health Careers website
Refreshed content is now live on the Health Careers website for digital education and training roles in the NHS and we are really pleased to see this. Thank you so much to those of you who got involved in this refresh which is contributing to attracting new staff to these all-important roles in digital education.
Other useful resources
We have a range of bulletins covering primary care, nursing, mental health, transformation, NHS IMPACT and other topics.
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