Applications for the fourth cohort of the Digital Health Leadership Programme have been opened.

The 12-month programme aims to develop a new generation of leaders to drive digital transformation in the NHS, providing learning opportunities for 100 digital leaders.

It is run by Health Education England and the NHS Digital Academy, in partnership with NHSX.

Patrick Mitchell, director of innovation, transformation and digital at Health Education England, said: “This programme is a fantastic opportunity to really develop and embed the digital leaders of the future into our NHS workforce.

“The scale and speed of implementing digital innovations over the last year has seen staff using sophisticated approaches and adapting to new ways of working. New digital ways of working have allowed staff to continue the delivery of safe, effective and timely care during the pandemic right across the acute, specialist, mental health, ambulance and community sectors.

“This programme will help ensure the NHS has the strong digital leaders to make further changes happen to benefit patients and patient care.”

Dr Harpreet Sood, non executive director at Health Education England, added: “I am excited that the NHS Digital Academy will continue to train health and care digital leaders for a fourth year particularly as we have refreshed the selection process to ensure there is even more diversity and inclusion with additional support being provided to underrepresented groups.”

Applications are open until April 30. Applicants must be employed by an organisation that forms part of the NHS, public health or social care workforce.

The programme is targeted at individuals who are already working in a role where they are required to drive and implement practical digital transformational change within their organisation or system.

More information can be found on the NHS Digital Academy website.