Resolution: Digital leadership

This resolution passed.

Members can view a recording of the debate here.

Since the Every Nurse an eNurse initiative was launched at RCN Congress in 2016, the e-Health Forum has worked collaboratively to raise the profile of ‘digital’ in nursing. The forum’s efforts have helped define the skills, knowledge and training required for nursing staff to exploit new digital and data technologies for better care and improved working conditions.

All UK countries have highlighted the need for a digital strategy and infrastructure to support health and social care delivery. Crucially, these plans recognise the importance of clinical leadership roles to ensure proper engagement with health professionals, so that digital technologies work for them and their patients.

Wales, for example, has strengthened its nursing leadership programme within informatics* to support and reinforce academic and nursing career pathways. Other initiatives include Health Education England’s Digital Readiness Programme and the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme hosted by NHS Education for Scotland.

COVID-19 has further accelerated the need for digital solutions for diagnostics and clinical consultations. With reliance on new technology at an all-time high, the RCN must continue to ensure that IT solutions work for our members and their patients across all health and care sectors.

Despite the digital agenda, there is little consideration given to clinical staff when developing and commissioning new technology. Indeed, the functionality of new tools and how they best serve nursing practice is in question. Too often, care professionals are left out of the important decision-making processes behind these new solutions. Many feel they are not listened to, nor are they given the skills, training or support to perform at the highest level and influence the decision-making. Digital leadership programmes have struggled to attract nursing staff in significant numbers, and in Northern Ireland, the RCN manifesto for the recent Assembly election noted the frequent frustration that nursing staff experience because of IT limitations.

Other evidence, including a survey conducted by the RCN in 2018, shows the severity and consequences of these issues. They include:

• directors of finance procuring new systems without clinical input from nursing staff
• IT systems failing to support the level of information-sharing needed by nursing staff
• systems usage issues due to insufficient bandwidth, connectivity problems, outdated and inappropriate equipment, and duplication of data entry.

It is time for nursing staff and care professionals to lead the way in digital transformations. Unless this happens, we will continue to be subjected to decisions made by others. This will relegate the role of nursing staff to that of passive adopters of technology rather than active users and influencers.

The RCN is the voice of nursing. It has a major role in ensuring that clinical leadership is embedded and prominent in all matters that impact patient care and safety, including the welfare and practices of its membership.

*Informatics is the capture, communication and use of data and clinical knowledge to support health professionals.

Health and Social Care Board (2016) eHealth and Care Strategy for Northern Ireland. Available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dhssps/interactive-ehealth-strategy.pdf (Accessed 22 April 2022) 
 
NHS Digital (no date) NHS Digital data and information strategy. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/nhs-digital-data-and-information-strategy  
(Accessed 20 April 2022). 
 
Royal College of Nursing (2018) Every Nurse an E-nurse: Insights from a consultation on the digital future of nursing| Royal College of Nursing. Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/pdf-007013 (Accessed 20 April 2022). 
 
Royal College of Nursing Wales (2021) Leadership and Informatics with Claire Bevan and Frances Beadle. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx-JlI6v-6U  (Accessed 20 April 2022). 
 
Scottish Government (2021). Digital Health and Care Strategy. Available at: https://www.digihealthcare.scot/strategy/  (Accessed 20 April 2022) 
 
Welsh Government (2015) Informed Health and Care. A Digital Health and Care Strategy for Wales. Available at: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-03/informed-health-and-care-a-digital-health-and-social-care-strategy-for-wales.pdf (Accessed 20 April 2022)