The MPFT Digital Training Team set out on a mission to make a change within digital healthcare at Midlands Partnership University Foundation Trust (MPFT). All begin by the story of Nurse Joan, initially on the verge of quitting due to the complexity of clinical systems. Recognising the importance of technology, we planned to ensure that no staff member felt worried about their job because of their digital skills. This change took the form of a programme called the ‘The Digital Angels’ extending beyond our workforce to the local community.
We carried out a staff survey to identify the digital training needs of the staff in the organisation. This identified that many staff were unable to attend training sessions held by the digital team, because of their workload and work commitments and often they booked on training and had to cancel due to someone else in the team calling in sick as an example. We then realised that it was difficult for managers to make time for staff, which led to the launch in November 2022 of the ‘Digital Angels’. The Digital Angels have so far been to 100 bases within MPFT borders and assisted over 450 staff by providing on-site training and support and answering staff queries. This could be anything from giving them a new mouse or keyboard, training on Microsoft applications, showing quicker ways of using clinical systems or checking that their desk has been set-up correctly so they are using the network connection rather than Wi-Fi.
The Digital Angels programme isn't confined to internal staff and service users; we have now broken geographical barriers. The plan initially was to expand our local libraries, to provide a digital skills training programme to eight libraries in Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Telford. This programme is not just about increasing numbers but dismantling access barriers to essential learning. By making digital skills training universally accessible, irrespective of background or location. Our commitment to innovation persisted, promising diverse training methods, from online resources to classes, ensuring adaptability to different learning styles and needs.
Trish Nolan, Head of Digital Skills and Business Change, and Lucy Roberts, Digital Skills and Change Specialist Lead, proudly represented the entire team at the awards ceremony hosted by the Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative on Wednesday 1st May. Together, they celebrated a remarkable achievement as the team's efforts were honoured with the prestigious 'Innovation in Digital' Award for the Digital Angels programme.