Newcastle showcases NHS digital innovation

A recent North East healthcare event spotlighted the NHS’ digital transformation.

More than 170 NHS leaders and technology innovators gathered at The Catalyst in Newcastle on October 17 for the “Analogue to Digital: Delivering the NHS 10-Year Plan in the North East” event, hosted by Global Government Forum. 

The gathering highlighted the region’s growing status as a hub for digital health innovation, supported locally by Dynamo North East C.I.C. and Opencast.

Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, delivered the keynote address, outlining the 10-Year Plan’s ambitions and next steps. 

The event also featured a high-profile panel discussion chaired by Andrew Besford, non-executive director at both the Northumbria and Gateshead Healthcare NHS Foundation Trusts, which included:

• Dr Birju Bartoli, chief executive at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• David Elliott, chief digital officer at Great North Healthcare Alliance
• Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive at NHS England
• Michael Brodie CBE, chief executive at NHS Business Services Authority
• Ming Tang, chief digital and information officer at NHS England

The event coincided with the launch of a new report by Global Government Forum, based on interviews with NHS digital leaders. 

Key recommendations included updating financial mechanisms to support predictable, multi-year digital funding, prioritising digital skills and leadership, tackling fragmentation through interoperability and standards, and reshaping the national digital function to better support trusts.

Regional innovators such as XR Therapeutics, which develops immersive therapy solutions combining digital tools with clinical techniques like CBT and EMDR, also showcased their work at the event.

Dr Cate Kalson, pictured below at the event, chief people officer at Opencast and director at Dynamo North East C.I.C., who helped organise the event, added: “It is vital for the North East to host events like this that bring senior leaders and decision-makers together. 

“We were proud to help facilitate the event locally and to support initiatives that strengthen the region’s tech community.”

Billy Webber, chief executive at XR Therapeutics and NHS National Innovation Accelerator Fellow, added: “As an organisation featured in the NHS 10-Year Strategy, we’re proud to see such an event take place in the region. 

“When Dynamo invited us to attend, we knew it would be an invaluable opportunity to gain useful insights and build connections with more NHS professionals.”

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