First students accepted into NHS Digital Academy

The first students of the NHS Digital Academy have been chosen, with a number of successful applicants taking to Twitter to confirm the news.

A handful of individuals began sharing their successful applications on the social media site on 12 February, including Zainab Hussain, a clinical lead implementing digital initiatives at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.

Another was Jackie Whittle, the CCIO of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Jackie said on Twitter that there was “exciting times ahead” (full tweet below).

Just got offered a place on the NHS Digital Leadership Programme starting in April! Looking forward to this #postgrad @NHSDigAcademy @ukpenguin @NHSDigital

— Zainab Hussain (@ZainabH_ssain) February 12, 2018

So pleased to have been offered a place on the NHS Digital Academy Leadership programme …. exciting times ahead @DitLeeds @CCIOLeedsTHT

— Jackie Whittle???? (@jackie_whittle) February 14, 2018

https://twitter.com/iPharmLAD/status/963093906849259520

Just been accepted into the NHS Digital Academy. Now the work begins

— Dr Andrew Sharpe (@docsubaru) February 12, 2018

The academy, which opened for applications in November 2017, is a digital organisation designed to train a new generation of digital leaders who can help drive IT transformation within the NHS.

Speaking recently at a board meeting, NHS England’s CIO, Will Smart, suggested the academy would be a “really important mechanism” for improving cyber security in the wake of last year’s WannaCry incident.

The year-long training course is open to CCIOs, CIOs, as well as aspiring digital leaders from clinical, and non-clinical, backgrounds.

Applicants were required to have five years’ informatics or digital experience, the support of their chief executive, and be able to attend three residential training sessions.

According to the NHS England website, “details of how to apply for 2019’s intake will be announced in due course”.