Embark on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of digital transformation in the NHS. In this engaging session, we’re placing a firm spotlight on the pivotal role of diversity and inclusion at the very heart of leadership. We will explore the significant impact that women can bring to these roles, highlighting their innovative and entrepreneurial approach to digital healthcare. Yet, this discussion is not limited to women. It’s about the collective duty we all share, especially those at the helm, to cultivate a genuinely inclusive working environment. The session delves into how leadership norms can be redefined, fostering teams that reflect the society we serve. This conversation is a call to action for all, encouraging a collaborative effort to champion diversity and create a more balanced leadership in healthcare’s digital transformation.
Chair: Ayesha Rahim, Clinical Lead, Digital Mental Health – NHSE & I
Aasha Cowey
AD of Digital Strategic Transformation – Surrey and Borders Partnership NHSFT
Aasha is Associate Director of Strategic Digital Transformation at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and has a particular interest about the people, workforce and cultural side of digital. Starting her career in the ambulance service as an emergency medical dispatcher, curiosity led her down a digital path. Aasha is a proud parent and co-founder of @FlexNHS, a support and resource network to promote and enable flexible working in the NHS. Aasha is also co-chair of the South East Digital Health Skills Development Network. Aasha recently won the Digital Champion award as part of the national digital, data and technology awards.
Lia Ali
Consultant Psychiatrist & Clinical Adviser – NHSx Innovation Team
Dr Lia Ali is a doctor and digital health strategist with extensive experience across the spectrum of digital healthcare. She is passionate about ethics and safety by design, patient centred care and long term conditions including mental health and have particular interests in integrated care and medical education. She believes that delivery of exemplary healthcare requires a holistic, biopsychosocial, service design approach. Lia has done this via transformation roles in the NHS, charities & for-profit sector.
Sylvia Stevenson
Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Development – Integrated Care 24
Sylvia Stevenson Assoc. CIPD, CDE® is Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Development at IC24. Known as a Positive Disruptor, Sylvia’s vision is inspiring people to become Agents of Change by focusing on designing new breakthrough solutions to accelerate the DEI agenda in Health and Social Care. Please see LinkedIn
Stacey Hatton
CNIO – The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Stacey [RGN, BSc, MSc] is the CNIO at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
She has held various digital transformation roles in three large NHS acute trusts since 2017. Before taking up positions in digital transformation, she worked clinically in the Emergency Department, medical wards, and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement team.
Stacey is a Florence Nightingale Foundation 2022 Digital Scholar and whilst she has been involved in and led several digital transformation projects, she is interested in how to create a digitally positive culture in the NHS and plans to explore this during her FNF year.
In addition to her NHS experience, Stacey also co-founded a health IT company, a clinically-led enterprise developing forward-thinking quality assurance and improvement software. The start-up is on a mission to help clinical colleagues use data to improve patient care.
Samantha Robinson
Associate Director of Live Services – NHS England
Chair
Ayesha Rahim
Clinical Lead, Digital Mental Health – NHSE & I
Ayesha is a consultant psychiatrist, and graduate of the NHS Digital Academy. She is a steering group member for the Shuri Network, which promotes the participation of BAME women in the digital health field. She is also an elected member of the Digital Health CCIO Advisory Panel.
Dr Ayesha Rahim is a psychiatrist, with 20 years’ experience in the UK National Health Service. She has worked in health tech for a number of years, and is the national clinical lead for Digital Mental Health in England. Her other interests include workforce development, diversity & inclusion, and user-centred design.
