Returning as a virtual event in 2021
Digital Health Virtual Summer School returns as a virtual event on 15-16 July, 2021 back at a key moment in the development of digitally-enabled health and care.
Dedicated to CCIOs/CIOs/CNIOs, together with all current and aspiring digital health leaders, Summer School is the most popular and friendly NHS IT leadership event of the year.
Virtual Summer School will once again provide two-days of rewarding education, networking and best practice exchange, providing you with a unique opportunity to learn from the very best digital health leaders from across the UK and internationally.
Join us for Virtual Summer School 2021

Educational programme featuring keynote speakers, case studies, panel discussions, workshops and masterclasses
Live-streaming of sessions
Speakers and delegates from around the world
Great networking and full social programme
All sessions will be fully CPD accredited
2020 Speakers















Summer Schools have gone virtual for 2020
Join us for the Virtual Summer School, 23-24 July, for two days of online learning, networking and collaboration exploring UK and International lessons on digital responses to Covid-19, and what comes next.
We’ll be blending video sessions and video diaries, live Q&A and panel discussions and keynote interviews. We hope you’ll join us over the two days and then keep the discussion going in the Virtual Happy Hour.
The aim of Summer School remains to bring together a diverse range of digital health leaders for sharing, learning and relaxed networking. So if you are a Summer Schools regular or taking part for the first time, please join us for what promises to be a very special event.
Keynotes, case studies and networking
Programme highlights
Day One – Thursday 23 July 2020
09:30 – 10:05
Opening keynote
Sarah Wilkinson, CEO, NHS Digital
Live panel discussion and Q&A with the chairs of the CCIO, CIO and CNIO networks
11:35 – 12:15
The big debate: How has Covid-19 changed NHS digital leadership?
Sonia Patel, CIO, NHSX
Natasha Phillips, CNIO, NHSX
Live panel discussion and Q&A chaired by Lisa Emery, CIO, The Royal Marsden and chair of London CIO Council
Throughout the day
Digital responses to Covid-19: video case studies from UK and abroad. Including:
The Primary Care response to Covid-19;
Dr John McCormick, GP, and CCIO, NHS Devon CCG
Virtual consultations in mental health during Covid-19;
Jo Hillier, digital clinical lead, Sussex Partnership NHS FT
New York, Health information exchange in a public health crisis;
Jay Nakashima, executive director, eHealth Exchange
Day Two – Friday 24 July 2020
07:10 – 07:25
International Keynote
New Zealand Keynote
Shayne Hunter, deputy director-general data and digital, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health
08:30 – 08:45
International Keynote
Australia Keynote
Prof Keith McNeil, acting deputy director-general and chief medical officer Prevention Division, and CCIO, Queensland Health
Followed by live video case studies, panel discussion and Q&A
10:10 – 10:30
Morning Keynote
Matthew Gould, CEO, NHSX
10:30 – 11:00
Live ‘Rising Stars’ panel discussion and Q&A
13:20 – 14:00
Afternoon Keynotes
EBM Data Lab and Covid-19
Dr Ben Goldacre, director, The DataLab Nuffield Dept of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford
Prof Liam Smeeth, professor of clinical epidemiology, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
14:20 – 14:35
Closing Keynote
The digital future of UK primary care, post Covid-19
Nikki Kanani, GP, and medical director of Primary Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement
Throughout the day
Covid-19 video diaries from Network members will include:
Jo Dickson, CIO, clinical informatics director, Nuffield Health
Kevin Beaston, head of Systems development, York Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Mandy Griffin, CIO and director, The Health Informatics Service
Aasha Cowey, project manager, South Central & West CSU
Delegate experience
“Excellent quality international and national speakers. A real mix of topics, including positive efforts around inclusion. Unparalleled opportunities to network too.”
Ayesha Rahim, CCIO
Lancs and South Cumbria NHS FT
“Probably the best two days of networking I have had since joining the NHS. Along with listening to some fantastic speakers what more could I ask?”
Mandy Griffin, CIO
The Health Informatics Service.
“This was an amazing event – a fantastic opportunity to network and see how others are leading digital transformation”
Shane McKee, CCIO
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
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The Digital Health Networks is the leading professional health IT leadership community dedicated to collaboration, knowledge exchange and best practice. The community is open to everyone in UK healthcare leading on NHS IT and digital health, including independent healthcare providers.