Data and Digital Innovation SIG 

Innovation is central to how Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) improves services and supports digital transformation across NHS Wales and Social Care

We help teams turn ideas into practical solutions by bringing together data, digital expertise, research and innovation. Our aim is to support innovations that improve patient care, staff experiences and service efficiency. 

DHCW chairs the Data & Digital Innovation Special Interest Group (SIG) on behalf of Health and Social Care Innovation Wales. 

The SIG provides a national forum for organisations, innovators, academics and industry partners looking to develop data and digital innovations that support health and social care in Wales. 

The group helps identify, assess and support promising innovations by bringing together expertise from across NHS Wales. It also promotes collaboration, shared learning and opportunities to scale successful solutions. 

What the SIG Supports 

The SIG focuses on projects with a clear data and digital innovation element, including: 

• Data-driven service transformation 

• Digital solutions that improve patient outcomes or experience 

• Workforce productivity and efficiency 

• Artificial intelligence, analytics and automation 

• Integration across health and social care 

• Use of national digital platforms and infrastructure 

How to engage with us 

Industry and academic partners with a data or digital innovation proposal can contact us to request a proposal form: DHCW_R&I@wales.nhs.uk

Please note, the SIG is not a procurement, sales or commercial endorsement route. We may signpost enquiries to a more appropriate route where needed. 

NHS Wales organisations, social care organisations and other partners can contact the SIG through our Microsoft Form.

Innovation Funding and Support 

The SIG manages a dedicated innovation support programme that helps NHS Wales and Social Care organisations in Wales access specialist data, digital, analytical and innovation expertise. Support may include: 

• Data and analytics capability 

• Digital specialist advice 

• Evaluation support 

• Innovation expertise 

Projects are assessed against factors such as strategic alignment, innovation potential, impact, deliverability, and value for money. 

The first of our open calls invites NHS Wales organisations, social care organisations and collaborative partnerships to submit data and digital innovation ideas that could improve health and social care in Wales. Projects should respond to a clear service, workforce, patient or system challenge and should have a defined outcome or learning point that can be delivered within the available timeframe. 

Please find more information on the open call in our Information sheet for applicants.

Key dates 

Working Together Across Wales 

Through our leadership of the SIG and participation in the NHS Wales Innovation Leads network, DHCW helps to: 

• Align innovation activity across NHS Wales 

• Connect research, innovation and digital delivery 

• Share learning and best practice 

• Support evaluation and benefits realisation 

• Enable adoption and scaling of successful innovations across Wales 

This collaborative approach helps ensure innovation activity delivers measurable benefits for patients, staff and health and care services.