11 Sep 2023
Informatics workforce accreditation success
Colleagues within Mersey Care’s Business Intelligence, Performance and Information Teams and the Trust’s digital service provider – NHS Informatics Merseyside, have been awarded ‘Excellence in Informatics’ Level 2 accreditation by the Informatics Skills Development (ISD) Network.
The Excellence in Informatics accreditation scheme is a peer-assessed standard of excellence, which requires organisations to demonstrate and evidence capability and good practice in the personal and professional development of their informatics workforce.
There are three levels of attainment, each involving a rigorous assessment process addressing five key areas – infrastructure, personal development and career planning, professional development, workforce planning and leadership.
Stephen Appleton, Managing Director of NHS Informatics Merseyside, and Interim Chief Digital Information Officer at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The ISD Network provides a learning and development framework which supports the continuing development of informatics colleagues in the NHS.
“Achieving Excellence in Informatics level 2 accreditation is no mean feat and is a tremendous achievement – demonstrating our commitment to the ongoing development of our digital and data colleagues who play a fundamental role in supporting our transformation programmes and drive for perfect care.
“From their assessment, the network was extremely impressed by the range of workforce initiatives in place to support personal and professional growth, collaboration, and engagement, which has certainly helped us further cultivate our strong values-based culture.
“Several areas of best practice were identified including our clinical engagement and leadership approach - ensuring digital and data plans are being clinically designed and led to ensure we continually learn from those we support and make a difference where it matters.”
Michael Lightfoot, Associate Director of Performance and Business Intelligence at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital, who was part of the assessment panel, said:
“It has been a real pleasure to participate in the assessment of NHS Informatics Merseyside and Mersey Care for both their Level 1 and Level 2 ISD accreditations. The recent assessment for Level 2 provided extensive evidence of organisations which set the standard for informatics in our region, demonstrating an innovative approach from a dedicated team, with leadership who put the workforce at the centre.”
Matt Connor, Chief Information Officer at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, who was also part of the assessment panel, added:
“It was a pleasure working with both teams as part of the accreditation process. The digital department is leading the way with many areas of best practice including staff health and wellbeing, staff development and demonstrated excellent embedded communication processes.”
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Notes to editors
The North West Skills Development Network (NWSDN) provides an innovative learning and development infrastructure which enables and supports continuing development of all finance, informatics, procurement and associated staff in the NHS across the North West.
For further information please visit https://www.skillsdevelopmentnetwork.com
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
For further information please visit www.merseycare.nhs.uk
NHS Informatics Merseyside is an NHS digital provider delivering a wide range of digital support services to NHS health and care organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside and beyond including major acute and specialist trusts, community and mental health services, primary care networks, GP practices, pharmacies and professional bodies.
For further information please visit www.imerseyside.nhs.uk