With rapidly increasing data and digital driven change, there is a need to ensure digital health and information professionals have access to learning and development opportunities to help equip them with the skills they need for the future.

In response to this, the West of England AHSN has been heavily involved in the development of the South West Digital Health & Care Skills Development Network, which launched in April 2022. The network aims to support professionals working within Informatics and Digital (including clinicians) at all stages of their careers. A number of free learning events will be offered alongside free digital health skills learning resources.

Watch this short explainer video to find out more.

The aims of the network are to:

  • Improve professional and leadership skills
  • Measure and raise standards
  • Network with colleagues and peers
  • Share best practice and learning across organisations and the region
  • Collaborate with colleagues on joint programmes of work
  • Signpost and support colleagues toward development opportunities
  • Act as a regional interface with key professional bodies

The first free learning events are now ready to book at and the large range of free digital health skills learning Resources can be accessed here. To access resources, you will need to sign in using a FutureNHS account.

The network development was supported by seed funding from Health Education England and the resources are hosted by Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

About Healthcare Financial Management Association

The HFMA is the biggest provider of healthcare finance and business education and training in the UK. It offers a range of qualifications in healthcare business and finance at undergraduate and postgraduate level iincluding the Skills Development Network. The association is also an accredited provider of continuing professional development, delivered through a range of events, e-learning and training. In 2019 the HFMA was approved as a main training provider on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers and will be offering and developing a range of apprenticeships aimed at healthcare staff from 2020