Key takeaways from our recent supplier engagement forum with NHSX, discussing the programme of frontline digitisation set to take place over the next few years, which aims to accelerate uptake of the foundational technology needed to underpin digital transformation.
Chaired by Andreas Haimboeck-Tichy, Chair of techUK’s Health and Social Care Council and Director of Ecosystems at IBM, a wider range of members joined the Forum to listen to three expert panelists from NHSX share their insights on the challenges to frontline digitisation, and what suppliers should expect from the upcoming programme:
David Howie, NHSX Chief Commercial Officer
Dermot Ryan, NHSX Director of Frontline Digitisation
Anna Hawksley, NHSX Assistant Director of Programmes
Dermot Ryan, NHSX’s Director of Frontline Digitisation, opened by outlining the aims of the programme of frontline digitisation, including going paper-free, establishing electronic patient records (EPRs), and achieving a broader cultural shift. He explained that this programme was the next stage in the journey instigated by the Global Digital Exemplar Programme and would run up until 2025-2026.
He spoke to some of the initiatives suppliers could expect from NHSX in the coming months, including the ‘technology fund prospectus’, digital maturity and usability assessments, and the publication of ‘What good looks like’ (WGLL).
WGLL aims to create a model for digital maturity within the NHS and is expected imminently – Dermot encouraged members to think about what role they might play in this project, emphasising that the initiative was about leaderships and ecosystems as much as digital capabilities. As a result of the “checkered history” of digitisation in the NHS, the programme will be insisting on board-level leadership and high levels of clinical buy-in.
When asked what people should expect from the WGLL document and what the key measures of success would be, he responded that it was not just about digital capability but about leadership, supporting staff, and changing the culture.
Dermot also touched on the move towards an integrated care approach within the NHS that is consistent with geography, outlining that NHSX’s investment and work would look to cement the place of these geographies, owing to the foundational role of digital in integrated care.
He highlighted that, now more than ever, working with the NHS presented a considerable reputational opportunity for suppliers. He outlined that suppliers should expect to see increasing levels of infrastructure, EPR-type capability, and resourcing demand in the market as organisations gear up to frontline digitisation, emphasising that NHSX were looking for competition and would be consolidating purchasing to a smaller number of places.
Transformation in procurement
This opening statement was followed by further detail on the changes to procurement that suppliers could expect to see from NHSX’s CCO, David Howie, who forecasted a change in tone and approach to the way NHSX engages with the market. He emphasised that some of this shift follows from broader transformation in NHS procurement, and would not be restricted to frontline digitisation.
David outlined that the move to Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) would result in a fundamental shift for providers in terms of care delivery, having a significant impact on buying. Taking the EPR market as an example, he noted that there would be a move from the same providers offering similar services to a much more dynamic and innovative marketplace, in which suppliers that enabled NHS services to spin up functionalities to support user needs would be prioritised. It is in this context that NHSX will look to support ICSs from the centre, providing a consistency of approach to enable better outcomes.
Emphasising this central support for ICSs, Anna Hawksley, NHSX’s Assistant Director of Programmes,spoke to the upcoming EPR usability survey and digital maturity assessment, which will initially focus on mental health, community and ambulance services. Anna emphasised that this would enable NHSX to feedback to suppliers on what products are required, with NHSX able to roadmap user needs and work with suppliers to meet them.
The panelists received several questions from techUK members, prompting a discussion on the difficulty of moving away from existing systems, expressing a desire to make it possible for trusts to be more agile, encouraging new functionalities. David again emphasised the importance of providing centralised support to help make this possible.
One member expressed concerns around centralisation inhibiting innovation. The panel responded that driving towards a commonality would be about enforcing standards around interoperability and moving towards the ability to strategically engage with vendors rather than point-by-point engagement at a trust-level. Standards would be enforced to reach the goal of driving a system which allows for local ability to spin up functionality very quickly.
Other questions touched on the need for supplier feedback, how the move to ICSs might align with social care digitisation, and how to ensure other services, such as ambulances, are considered as part of the approach. Full answers to these questions can be heard in the recording linked above.
The forum concluded with David Howie encouraging members to submit feedback on the format of the session and proposing an additional session, following the publication of documents such as WGLL.
This discussion was the first in a series of forums that will further collaboration and joint working on frontline digitisation between the tech industry and NHSX.
Robert Walker
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
Robert Walker
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK
Viola Pastorino
Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
Rachel Kennedy
Programme Manager Health and Social Care, techUK
Rachel Kennedy
Programme Manager Health and Social Care, techUK
Rachel joined techUK in December 2024, as a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team.
Prior to this, Rachel worked at a specialist health and social care public affairs agency, working with a range of organisations and trade bodies across the medical technology, pharmaceutical, digital health and social care sectors. As well as this, Rachel was part of the Secretariat for a number of health and care related All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Rachel has a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Leeds, as well as a first-class honours in Politics BA from Newcastle University.
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
Leontina joined techUK in March 2020, where she is now heading up the organisation’s Health and Social Care programme. At the moment, she is also completing an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London.
A former journalist, Leontina previously worked for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as an associate editor for its International and Media divisions. There, she covered the EMEA region for Healthcare IT News, MobiHealthNews and HIMSS TV, with a focus on policy and innovation, and contributed to the Women in Health IT newsletter and HIMSS Insights eBook.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, dancing, travelling and visiting her family in Romania, where she hails from.
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