Welcome to the June 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
AI bitesize: AI Ambassador Network
The second in the series of AI bitesize took place at the AI Ambassador Network meeting held on 3 June, “What capabilities does my team need to use AI?” James Freed, our Deputy Director was joined by Dr Jeffry Hogg, Clinician Scientist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. You can catch up on demand as the bite size AI learning edits can be accessed via the bite size session links on the Digital Academy FutureNHS community.
You can also catch up on the full AI Ambassador network sessions as they are recorded and uploaded to the AI Virtual Hub FutureNHS workspace. You will need to apply to join in order to access the full recordings.
Microsoft Copilot agents training in the NHS
Microsoft have launched more Copilot training for the NHS focusing on AI agents. Join NHS colleagues for a live 90 minute fast-paced, practical session on Microsoft 365 Copilot agents. See how ready-made and custom agents can save time, simplify routine tasks, and help teams work smarter. You will learn how to build agents in Copilot Chat and SharePoint—no coding needed. Unlock AI in your everyday work. Dates in June: Register here.
AI Skills Boost
We are proud to support AI Skills Boost, a free government-backed programme designed to help people across the UK build confidence using AI in their day-to-day roles. The programme offers 14 short, practical courses and there is no technical background needed, learning is flexible and some courses taking as little as 20 minutes. Explore and share.
Latest news
HSJ award winner: Skills Development Network
Congratulations to our partner, the Skills Development Network for Digital, Data and Technology for winning the HSJ award for Digital Literacy, Education & Upskilling with their industry leading Induction Programme for Clinicians New to Digital Data and Technology. Eddie Olla, Chair of the Skills Development Network commented “This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the passion, expertise and collaboration of colleagues across the NHS and academia.” Find out more about the learning programme.
HSJ award winner: The 50 most influential people for NHS tech in 2026
Congratulations to our Deputy Director, James Freed who was listed as one of the HSJ’s most influential people in tech this year. James sees this as a huge validation and recognition for the work done by us and others on the important contribution workforce skills, behaviours and mindset can make towards digital success. He very much sees this as a collective win. Read his post.
Digital Data and Technology Census 2026
The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Census 2026 is now underway, coordinated through the Skills Development Networks for DDaT across England. Skills Development Network Managers will be working with regional organisations to capture workforce data as at 31 March 2026, helping to build a clear picture of the size, structure and evolution of the DDaT workforce.
We recognise this is a challenging time for many organisations; however, timely data collection is essential to support national planning. This year also includes opportunities to share feedback on job roles and flag anticipated workforce changes. This year's deadline is Tuesday 28 July 2026. To access the 2024 and 2025 dashboards, please contact: christinebanks@nhs.net or lois.cavallaro1@nhs.net. Thank you to all colleagues supporting this important work.
Upcoming and recent events
2026 Digital Skills Summit highlights and insights
Our partner, FutureDotNow held their third annual Workforce Digital Skills Summit on 22 April 2026. Across a varied and dynamic agenda, business leaders, policy-makers, delivery partners and sector experts confronted an urgent truth: the UK will not unlock the benefits of AI, automation and digital transformation unless it fixes its essential digital skills foundations. Read the key takeways and the Summit summary.
Digital Health Leadership Programme showcase
We held a Digital Health Leadership Programme (DHLP) showcase session on 9th June and were joined by Lord Darzi, the Academic Director, and his team from the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London (IGHI).
DHLP is a flagship NHS Digital Academy Programme that supports the need to develop and invest in our digital change leaders, so directly addressing ambitions in the 10-Year Health Plan. It is a 12-month, part-time, fully accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health Leadership and around 820 change leaders have graduated or are currently enrolled. Watch the recording and find out more about the programme.
Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Digital Innovation Festival 2026
Join this free networking event for healthcare professionals, researchers and digital enthusiasts exploring the future of digital healthcare where we will be taking part as a keynote speaker. The event is facilitated by Dr Cristina Vasilica, Reader in Digital Health and Head of Digital Education at the University of Salford, who is also a Digital Academy special interest group member. The event is taking place on 26 June 9:30-5:30 at the University of Salford - Media City Campus. Register for the event.
HETT Show 2026
Registration for HETT Show 2026 is now open, we are proud to be a partner and are delighted to be speaking there and on a panel. HETT is taking place on 29-30 September at ExCel, London and is a two-day event that brings together people working across health, care, local government and life sciences to focus on practical progress in digital transformation. It is free to attend for health and care professionals. Register here.
Recently published
Skills England annual report strengthens the case for essential digital skills
The Skills England Annual Skills Report 2026 is unequivocal. The UK’s skills system is not keeping pace with economic and technological change, particularly as digital and AI reshape almost every job. The message is clear. Education reform alone will not be enough. Large-scale reskilling of the existing workforce is now essential. Our partner, FutureDotNow’s AI embedded Essential Digital Skills Framework is explicitly recognised. Read more.
Artificial intelligence – how to guide and regulate for health and social care professionals using AI
The professional standards authority commissioned a workshop to explore key issues around how to guide health and social care professionals using AI. The workshop brought together regulators, Accredited Registers, service users and members of the public to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using AI. This publication is the report of that workshop.
The risk of standing still: governing AI in health systems under pressure
This paper from the Tony Blair Institute for Global change considers how governments should weigh the risks and benefits of adopting AI in health when health systems everywhere are struggling to meet people’s needs. It proposes a framework for assessing new health technologies against current practice, focusing on comparative risk. It also outlines the practical steps governments can take to create the conditions for safe adoption at scale, thereby improving services and outcomes for their populations. Read the paper.
Learning spotlight
From virtual mistakes to real-world safety: Dr Laura Eastwood’s Topol Fellowship journey into VR transfusion training
As a Consultant Clinical Scientist in Red Cell Immunohaematology at NHS Blood and Transplant, Dr Laura Eastwood works in a field where precision matters, and where small errors can have significant consequences.
Through her time as a Topol Digital Fellow, Laura set out to tackle a growing challenge within transfusion laboratories: how to ensure high-quality training in an increasingly pressured system. A key focus of the project was understanding whether training in a virtual environment could translate into real-world practice, leading to recognition for this innovative approach to training. The Topol fellowship was instrumental in making this project possible. Read her story.
Digital profession
Help shape the development of Digital Profession job descriptions
Alongside the job descriptions already available, work is continuing to complete the remaining Agenda for Change banded job descriptions across the Digital Profession. We are inviting stakeholders and subject matter experts from across the NHS to support this work and help ensure the job descriptions reflect real-world roles and system needs. Input from subject matter experts will help to ensure that the final resource is high quality, practical, and fit for purpose. Participation is voluntary, and use of the completed job descriptions will remain optional for organisations across the NHS.
Attend one of the following 30-minute briefing sessions to find out more:
Monday 22nd June 16:00
Thursday 2nd July 09:30
If you are interested in contributing or would like to attend one of the briefing sessions, please get in touch.
Podcast in focus
Equity Charter podcast
Equity Charter advocate for equity in digital health, and their vision is an equitable digital health sector, where products, platforms and services meet the needs of everyone, and particularly underserved communities. They have released a podcast series which explores their principles and welcomed a number of inspiring guests per episode who have shared their insights and expert advice on equity in digital health. Listen to their podcast series.
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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