Throughout the presentations, there was a recurring theme: digital transformation thrives when staff are actively engaged in all stages. Highlighting this important aspect, speakers emphasised the need for comprehensive staff training and hands-on practice with new systems. "Technicians need to play with any new system they're going to use," reiterated speakers, stressing the importance of familiarity and competence.
One interesting method of engagement during the Fair was the use of videos to engage both service users and staff in understanding new systems, processes and general training. These videos are aim to be engaging, concise, and informative nature, serve as tools for introducing and explaining new apps or systems, ultimately enhancing the quality of care. Take a look at some of the great examples we have Setting up a Docking Station (youtube.com)
Additionally, the Fair advertised the role of digital angels, who provide personalised one-to-one sessions, site visits, Microsoft Teams training sessions to ensure staff members can learn the functionality of systems. Praised as a fantastic resource for staff and service users, the digital angels play a key role in ensuring smooth transitions when implementing new systems and maximising system or application utilisation.
A lesson learned throughout the event was the necessity of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach to digital transformation, highlighting the importance of stakeholder involvement and engagement. Despite its numerous benefits, speakers emphasised that successful transformation takes time and often requires more extensive collaboration than initially anticipated.
Addressing the challenges associated with project timelines, speakers urged attendees to seek support from the ACCIOs and PMO, showing the importance of a well-defined project mandate and effective coordination among stakeholders. Furthermore, it was a key lesson that all systems need a User Accepted Testing (UAT) before going live. Anyone interested in helping with UAT can volunteer and we appreciate all offers to test out a system.
Looking forward, the digital team outlined key actions to support project ideas, streamline processes, and ensure diverse involvement in digital projects:
- To help teams get support for their innovative ideas to transform them from an idea to reality. We will do all we can to help and make the process flow
- How can we update all our staff on the various digital projects and initiatives?
- When a team hear about a digital solution and believe that would help their service how can they get included in the next phase of the project?
As our keynote speaker, James Freed told us, technical transformation needs ‘Swifties'. (Swifties are known for their high levels of participation, creativity, community and fanaticism).Technology transformation only works if a lot of people get involved and make it better. It needs people.