People Digital Programme
Summary
The BLMK ICS People Digital Programme brings together Bedfordshire Hospitals FT, Milton Keynes UHFT, Cambridgeshire Community Services, East London FT and BLMK ICB to enhance the digital experience for NHS staff. The programme focuses on streamlining processes, enabling digital learning and improving access to workforce systems. Key initiatives include piloting the NHS Staff App, developing an ICS-wide register of workforce systems and launching the UK’s first People Digital Leadership course with Cranfield University. Collaboration and shared learning sit at the heart of the work.
The Challenge
Staff and managers faced overly complex processes and fragmented systems. Interfaces were often cumbersome and not well integrated, leading to duplicative data entry, data inconsistencies and errors. Personalised support and training were limited, which contributed to underutilisation and inefficiency. A coordinated, collaborative approach was required to improve digital maturity across organisations.
The Solution
A People Digital Senior Programme Manager was recruited to lead system-wide collaboration. Actions included:
- Establishing governance via People Digital Board meetings.
- Creating a network of People Digital Leads that meets fortnightly to align priorities.
- Setting up a monthly e-Rostering network to share practice and develop an ICS Oversight Report with RLDatix, including workshops with product SMEs.
- Developing a comprehensive register of workforce systems and contractual details.
- Launching the People Digital Leadership course with Cranfield University to build digital leadership capability.
- Working with NHS England on development and piloting of the NHS Staff App, and with NHSBSA to prepare for the Future Workforce Solution.
- Engaging regionally with NHSE on an AI HR chatbot to provide 24/7 support and reduce administrative burden.
Results & Next Steps
In its first year, the programme has piloted the NHS Staff App and launched a digital skills toolkit. The People Digital Leadership course has been introduced in collaboration with Cranfield University, with NHSE aiming to fund and enrol around 200 additional learners nationally. Across the five organisations, 11 priorities were identified, highlighting common goals. Progress includes SafeCare implementation in inpatient wards, team-based rostering and the merger of Bedford and Luton & Dunstable Optima instances. Next steps include scaling the leadership course, advancing the NHS Staff App, progressing the regional AI HR chatbot and continuing preparation for the national Future Workforce Solution.
