Statement from the Chief Executive
As we complete our fourth year, Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) continues to grow and develop in our digital leadership role.
The NHS in Wales is facing growing pressures, yet our committed workforce of more than 1,200 people are working together with our partners to deliver some of the UK’s biggest digital and data healthcare projects, while supporting more than 100 high-quality and secure health and care services.
Transformation and Innovation
Our Building our Future programme is shaping the way we work by bringing together organisational transformation activities and considering how AI innovations can enhance our health and care services over time.
We were shortlisted as the UK’s Best Place to Work in IT, demonstrating our commitment to a positive and inclusive working environment that values innovation, collaboration, excellence and compassion. We were recognised with a Highly Commended Award for EDI at the Healthcare People Management Association National Awards, reflecting our proactive approach to advancing inclusion.
Data, Architecture and Cyber Security
Our work in developing a National Target Architecture will provide the foundation for faster, more agile product development. The National Data Resource (NDR) Programme continues to advance secure, accessible health data solutions with the aim of improving health and social care outcomes for the people of Wales by responsibly managing data in a governed, secure and ethical way.
We lead on Cyber security for NHS Wales, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of NHS Wales data by encouraging informed, security-focused decisions. We protect NHS Wales systems and data by addressing technical threats, lead the design and implementation of secure IT systems, and promote a robust information security culture while sharing best practices.
Operational Excellence
We achieved 99.984% service availability this year and continue to enhance our operational services across all settings. The Welsh Immunisation System (WIS) supported large-scale RSV and COVID vaccination programmes. The NHS Wales Microsoft 365 Centre of Excellence has driven national collaboration, optimising efficiency and cost savings. The Centre of Excellence team has led the development of tools such as the Dental Access Portal and Staff Movement Advice app.
Empowering Patients and Clinicians
The Electronic Prescription Service has now dispensed one million prescription items and is becoming one of the biggest changes in decades to the way NHS Wales manages prescriptions. The NHS Wales App is supporting digital access for patients to health and care services and is now used by over 345,000 people in Wales, with more people using it every day. It has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Awards and the Digital Entrepreneur Awards for its innovation in digital healthcare and contribution to empowering patients.
We have supported safer, more efficient care by providing digital tools which give clinicians key information to support decision making. The Welsh Nursing Care Record is now live in all hospitals in Wales, saving time, improving accuracy, and reducing the need for repeating tasks. The Welsh Clinical Portal has been instrumental in enhancing clinician access to patient information by providing a single log-on platform that integrates data across health boards. Key developments include improved electronic test requesting, faster diagnostic investigations, patient referrals, medication management, and cancer programme capabilities such as palliative care e-Forms.
Recognition and Looking Ahead
Research and innovation continue to thrive, with our commitment to supporting digital health advancements, workforce development, and data-driven healthcare improvements. The NHS Wales e-Library has expanded access to high-quality resources, while our Value from Data initiative enhances analytics and decision-making capabilities.
Our achievements this year have been recognised at a national level across several key business areas. Notably, our Commercial Services Team won multiple awards at a prestigious national procurement awards ceremony, highlighting the innovative approach DHCW has taken in redefining service delivery through digital transformation.
In March, we received news that our escalation status was being raised to level 3 (enhanced monitoring) for the performance and outcomes domain related to the delivery of major programmes. Some of the challenges that we have faced are discussed within this document, and we are embracing the opportunity that the spotlight in this area affords us.
Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to delivering digital solutions that enhance patient care, improve efficiency and make digital a force for good in health and care in Wales.
