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Digital Medicines Director shortlisted for UK award

The director at the helm of one the biggest digital healthcare changes in Wales has been shortlisted for a prestigious UK IT award.

Rhian Hamer, Director of Transformation for the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio (DMTP), has made it to the final stage in the Inspirational Individual category of the British Computer Society’s annual awards.

The awards highlight the fast pace of technology change and recognise the efforts of the people who are creating a better world through IT.

Rhian said:
 

“It’s a huge honour for me to be shortlisted and I have to thank my team who have welcomed and adopted a different approach to delivering digital services that puts user experience at the centre of the change.”
 

Leading the switch from paper-based to digital prescribing, dispensing and administering of medicines for Wales, Rhian is overseeing a major change that will make a big difference to patients, the public and healthcare professionals. The work will improve safety, efficiency and deliver better services. Her work spans four separate programmes, brought together as one Portfolio, delivering:

  • electronic prescriptions sent directly from the GP to the patient’s chosen pharmacy
  • electronic prescribing and medicines administration in every hospital ward in NHS Wales
  • the first ever Shared Medicines Record that will mean all medication information for a patient is in one place and easily accessed when needed
  • features in the new NHS Wales App that make it easier for people to manage their medicines

Although the DMTP has been established for just 18 months it is already making its mark – to create fully digital prescribing across Wales.

Hamish Laing, Senior Responsible Officer for the DMTP, commented:
 

“We are incredibly proud that Rhian is in the running for this award. Her excellence in understanding people as well as technology has allowed a complex programme to develop at pace. Her exceptional leadership is inspiring individuals and other digital programmes to share ideas, be ambitious and create opportunities to flourish. She would be a worthy winner.”
 

The awards final takes place in London on 8 November.

Find out more about the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio