The Virtual College Training Hub

Digital Inclusion  – Wednesday 26 April, 2pm to 3pm

The UK NHS launched the Long Term Plan in 2019. One of the plan’s priorities is the key role played by digital technology in population health. The pandemic in 2020 accelerated the implementation of digital technology and digitally enhanced services. NHS organisations such as the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) have developed strategies for transformation of services and reiterated that ‘digital is the glue that bonds the entire integrated care system together’ (Professor Graham Evans, 2021).

However, questions have been raised over whether the agenda has successfully reached marginalised or disadvantaged communities. Issues such as digital literacy or access to resources can become barriers that may prevent these groups benefitting from the implementation.

This webinar will explore the journey of digital and data change. It will also examine the measures used to promote digital equity and inclusion so that citizens can be fully involved and supported to exercise their choice and control within the digitally enhanced services.

The learning outcomes will be:

• Improved understanding of digital technology and transformation in health and care
• Reflecting on the pros and cons from such transformation and the challenges experienced by disadvantaged groups.
• Identifying examples of good practice in promoting digital equity and inclusion such as the Deaf Digital inclusion projects in Tees/Hartlepool 2021 – 2022.

The training focuses on lived experience of users, carers/families and colleagues (clinicians, managers, researchers). Hence participants will be given the opportunity to share their experience.

The webinar will be facilitated by Emmanuel Chan (ARC NENC practice fellow) and Rachel Austin (ARC NENC member/coordinator of Hartlepool Deaf Centre).

If you would like to book a place at this event please register using this link