Welcome to the February 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
Cohort 9 of our Digital Health Leadership Programme
For the many people who have been asking, we are working through the final steps to enable us to launch recruitment for the next cohort (Cohort 9) of our Digital Health Leadership Programme (DHLP). This is a flagship Digital Academy programme aimed at those responsible for leading and optimising large-scale digital change in their organisation. It is delivered through our partnership with the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London and to date has supported over 750 of our digital change leaders.
At this moment we anticipate Cohort 9 will commence in September 2026 and we therefore expect to be able to open recruitment in mid-March for a 5-6 week period. We shall be updating our Digital Academy website with details for DHLP Cohort 9 as soon as ready, including details for some accompanying application support webinars where you will be able to hear more from the people who will be delivering the programme, as well as from DHLP alumni.
We shall of course also communicate directly with our newsletter subscribers when the recruitment window is open.
AI Ambassador Network bite-sized AI learning
James Freed, our Deputy Director of the NHS Digital Academy will be providing an overview of an upcoming series of ‘bite-sized AI learning’ to be delivered as part of the AI Ambassador meetings over the coming months at the session on 4 March 2026, 10:30-12:00. The network is a forum for healthcare professionals and those interested in AI in healthcare to learn about and share practical applications of AI. You can join the network here.
Build digital confidence with free information governance training
NHS staff are invited to access concise, free NHS information governance training to learn how to move information safely, appropriately, and lawfully across the system—whether for direct care, research, or wider service improvement. More than 65,000 NHS colleagues have already completed these concise e-learning modules to build their understanding of how to share information to support better care and effective digital transformation. Access the training here.
Free AI training for all
A government and industry programme expands to provide 10 million workers with key AI skills by 2030. Every adult in the UK is eligible to take free, newly benchmarked courses available on the AI Skills Hub, to gain practical AI skills for work as the joint government and industry programme sees a major expansion to upskill 10 million workers. Find out more about the learning on offer.
Latest news
Sonia Patel, Digital Health Leadership Programme (DHLP) alumni shares her story
Sonia Patel, chief technology officer (CTO) for NHS England is leaving her role in March to take up the position of interim government CTO for a fixed 12-month term. As she prepares to leave her role she reflects on her journey including how the Digital Health Leadership Programme helped to shape her path, describing it as a 'turning point in her career'. Read her inspiring story here.
Latest Digital Skills Development Networks news
Read the latest news from the Digital Skills Development Networks covering the DSDN Census for 2026, due to take place on 31 March 2026. This is particularly important given the key role DDaT staff will play over the coming years, so do get involved. We are also delighted to announce that the National Skills Development Network has been shortlisted for the HSJ Digital Awards 2026 for their Induction programme for clinicians new to digital.
FutureDotNow national survey: share your perspective
Your organisation’s insights are vital to our partner, FutureDotNow’s work. Their Employer Perception Survey takes approximately 10 minutes and will directly shape the national resources that they are building to bridge the digital skills gap. The survey closes on 27 February so we would encourage you to get your voices heard. Complete the survey.
The government digital and data hub is now live
The government digital and data hub is an interactive digital platform for digital and data professionals from across the UK public sector. The hub is a platform for you to discover, learn and connect. Whether it is building new skills, exploring career pathways, discovering career opportunities, or connecting with others who are passionate about using digital, data and technology to improve public services for everyone. Explore the hub.
Leveraging innovation to support care closer to home
The King’s Fund in partnership with Roche, are launching a new multi-year programme exploring how innovation can help deliver on the longstanding ambition to provide more care closer to home. They aim to understand what it would take to make this happen, including the practical steps, system changes and cultural shifts required to embed innovation in primary and community care settings. Ultimately the goal is to help ensure that innovations work for patients and communities – improving outcomes, experiences and equity, while supporting a sustainable health and care system. Find out more and get involved.
Upcoming events
Avoiding the ripple effect of a personal data breach
Join the Government Digital Service (GDS) for a spotlight webinar on 25 February 2026, 4:00pm to 5:00 pm focusing on personal data breaches and the 10 GDS principles. The more we use technology to deliver public services the greater the risk from technological threats. A breach of personal data can send shockwaves through people’s lives and bring devastating consequences, particularly for the vulnerable or at-risk individuals. Register for the webinar.
Workforce Digital Skills Summit
The third annual summit hosted by our partner, FutureDotNow takes place on 22 April 2026 at London’s Guildhall, once again bringing together thought leaders, decision makers and advocates. They will help guests understand and act on the essential digital skills gap while providing an opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers. Find out more and register your interest.
NHS ConfedExpo 2026
Registration is open for NHS ConfedExpo 2026 - Join 6,000+ health and care leaders, professionals and partners on 10 to 11 June at Manchester Central to discover innovative approaches turning ambition into reality. Got a bold idea or pioneering project to share?
Recently published
The roadmap for modern digital government
Launched in January 2026, the latest roadmap for modern digital government, sets out how every corner of the state is using technology to make government work for the citizens it serves. The roadmap is an action plan for what’s next, bringing together some of the most important products, platforms and transformation initiatives planned through to 2030. Read more about the roadmap.
AnalystX Huddle
AnalystX, the community of data professionals and analysts on FutureNHS hold hour-long virtual huddles which are designed to empower healthcare professionals, data enthusiasts and decision-makers with the knowledge and insights they need to transform healthcare. Watch the latest session on demand on FutureNHS and check out the slides, where James Freed, lead for the NHS Digital Academy and Martin Dennys, lead for NHS Digital Profession partnered on ‘Supporting the development of a digital profession in the NHS’. This follows on from the development of the National Competency Framework for data and analytics professionals and explored how the Digital Profession team and NHS Digital Academy are applying similar principles to the rest of the digital role families.
Learning spotlights
Equitable dermatology starts with being heard: Dr Chiedu Ufodiama’s Topol journey
For Dr Chiedu Ufodiama, dermatology is personal. Skin, hair and nail conditions shape confidence, culture and daily life. Yet, the systems around their management have not always seen or described everyone equally. As a Topol Digital Fellow, Chiedu is building a patient-led digital tool that connects the words people use about their skin with representative images and clinical knowledge. The aim is simple and ambitious at once, reduce health inequalities in dermatology. Chiedu is clear that equitable dermatology is not a slogan, it is a way of working. Read Chiedu's story here.
From learning to leading: how the Digital Health Leadership Programme shaped Sarah Buchan’s journey to CIO
As we celebrate the success of our DHLP programme, now in its 8th cohort, we hear from Sarah Buchan, DHLP alumni. For Sarah, leadership in digital health is less about technology and more about confidence, clarity and credibility. The programme gave her the space, language and confidence to see herself as a system-level digital leader. Read Sarah's story here.
Podcast in focus
Inside TEL podcast series – episode 5
Explore the future of healthcare education in this six-part podcast series dedicated to exploring the dynamic intersection of technology, AI and innovation in healthcare education.
The 5th episode Nick Perez (Director of Digital Innovation and Transformation at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and XR Advisor) and Wayne Troake (Blended Learning Manager at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust share inspiring NHS stories surrounding how digital innovation is making a real difference for staff and patients.
To enhance the learning experience, TEL have designed a Learner Resource for this episode and once completed you can use this to apply for VHLF CPD. Listen to the podcast here.
... and finally
Wishing James Freed, our NHS Digital Academy Deputy Director a very happy big milestone birthday from the team and our wider system friends and partners. We couldn't make the digital difference to health and care without you!
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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