On World Mental Health Day 2025, this powerful episode of Digital Health Unplugged delves into the importance of including the patient voice in the development of digital mental health technologies (DMHTs). Podcast host Jordan Sollof is joined by Holly Coole, senior manager for digital mental health at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Grace Gatera, a lived experience advocate with direct experience of trauma from surviving the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Coole discusses the three-year Wellcome-funded project she is leading, which aims to strengthen regulation and evaluation of DMHTs including apps, digital triage tools and virtual reality software. Joining from Rwanda, Gatera shares her first-hand understanding of mental health problems and the importance of including lived experience voices in digital mental health design and regulation. The two women are working together to ensure that DMHTs - including the use of AI - are effective, safe and take the needs of those who use them into account. Guests: Holly Coole, senior manager for digital mental health at the MHRA Grace Gatera, lived experience advisor from Rwanda with a global perspective on mental health access and the power of tech in underserved communities  

Ahead of speaking at Digital Health Rewired 2026, Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive at The Health Foundation, gives her views on the NHS 10 year health plan. In conversation with Digital Health Unplugged host, Jordan Sollof, Dixon stressed the importance of the 10 year health plan moving beyond ambition into clear actionable steps, particularly around digital transformation and service delivery. She discussed the need for a broader and more balanced approach to AI in healthcare which recognises the potential of the technology but avoids the hype that surrounds it. Dixon also shared her views on the value of the recently published NHS league tables, which have been criticised by some for being overly simplistic. Lastly, Dixon looks ahead to speaking at the next Rewired event, taking place at the Birmingham NEC on 24-25 March 2026. Guest: Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive at The Health Foundation  

Host Jordan Sollof is joined by the co-directors of the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) to discuss how the NHS can attract female innovators and those from underrepresented groups. Mindy Simon and Jack Porter discuss how the NIA provides “wrap-around” support and acts as a bridge between innovators and the NHS. They then make clear that the NIA is encouraging and targeting applications from female innovators, black innovators and those from underrepresented backgrounds. In 2019, after revising their promotional language and approach, the NIA achieved 40% female innovators in that year’s cohort. In the last two years, the figure has fallen to 18% female innovators. Across the entire 10-year history of the NIA, there have only been two black innovators out of more than 100 fellows and around eight Asian innovators accepted into the programme. To address this, Simon explains how the NIA are refining how they communicate about the programme to ensure the wording attracts a wider and more diverse pool of applicants. In the episode Porter also highlights several success stories from NIA fellows, before reflecting on Rewired 2025, where the NIA launched its largest new cohort of fellows, with plans for an even bigger number when the accelerator launches again at Rewired 2026. Guests: Mindy Simon, co-director of the NHS Innovation Accelerator Jack Porter, co-director of the NHS Innovation Accelerator  

This episode of Unplugged, in collaboration with Digital Health Networks sponsor CereCore International, focuses on delivery of the 10 year health plan. Podcast host Jordan Sollof is joined by Sir David Sloman, senior advisor to CereCore International and former chief operating officer at NHS England, and Andrew Hine, managing director at CereCore International. The pair welcome the publication of the 10 year health plan and the fact we have now have high level vision, but stress that leadership on the ground needs to grasp this opportunity and gets moving, not waiting to be told what to do. Sloman and Hine both give their advice to organisations about to implement an electronic patient record system, urging them to get help from people who have done it multiple times before in their careers as they are the subject matter experts who can spot the “bear traps”. They stress the importance of optimism, pace and momentum if we want the 10 year health plan to be achieved in the timeframe set out and that the NHS must be get cracking straight away and not wait two years to make changes. Guests: Sir David Sloman, senior advisor to CereCore International and former chief operating officer at NHS England Andrew Hine, managing director at CereCore International  

Digital Health Unplugged host Jordan Sollof is joined by Dame Barbara Hakin, chair of the Health Tech Alliance, to discuss the role of healthcare technology in the government’s NHS 10 year health plan healthcare technology. Hakin, former deputy chief executive at NHS England, highlights some of the digital ambitions laid out in the plan, including the introduction of innovator passports to help fast-track the rollout of technology. She also explores the update to NICE's technology appraisal process to cover some devices, diagnostics and digital products through the rules-based pathway and why the alliance is has been calling for value-based procurement to create a more innovation friendly system. The discussion also includes the government’s recently published Life Sciences Sector Plan and why it is more practical to implement than the 10 year health plan. Guest: Dame Barbara Hakin, chair of the Health Tech Alliance and former deputy chief executive at NHS England  

Unplugged host Jordan Sollof is joined by three of the Digital Health Awards 2025 winners to discuss how they are driving digital transformation and give their thoughts on the NHS 10 year health plan. Amy Freeman, chief digital information officer (CDIO) at University Hospitals of North Midlands, was named chief information officer (CIO) of the year at Digital Health Summer Schools 2025. She also sets out what she hopes to achieve in the next two years as the new chair of the Digital Health Networks CIO Advisory Panel, after being voted in earlier this year. Kaye Reynolds, lead clinical safety officer (CSO) at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, was voted CSO of the year in the Digital Health Awards. As well as reflecting on her achievement, Reynolds discusses the CSO Coffee and Chat Network, which she founded and chairs. Rising Star Award winner, Tom Micklewright, clinical lead for digital transformation in primary care at Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), highlights his work leading on the development of the Digital Care Pathway for Heart Health project. The trio then give their thoughts on the government’s 10 year health plan and how it will shape the digital health priorities at their respective organisations going forward. Guests: Amy Freeman, CDIO at University Hospitals of North Midlands and chair of the Digital Health Networks CIO Advisory Panel Kaye Reynolds, lead CSO at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust Tom Micklewright, clinical lead for digital transformation in primary care at Cheshire and Merseyside ICB  

This podcast episode, in partnership with Digital Health Networks sponsor Imprivata, focuses on all things mobile technology in healthcare. Host Jordan Sollof, reporter at Digital Heath News, is joined by Louise Clarkson, chief nursing information officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Daniel Johnston, associate chief nursing informatics officer and director of clinical operations at Imprivata, and Andy Wilcox senior product manager at Imprivata, the digital identity company for healthcare and beyond. The conversation highlights the benefits of going mobile and the key things to remember for healthcare organisations implementing the technology. They also discuss the main challenges to adoption and the barriers that IT departments and frontline workers are facing, before explaining what some of the workflow considerations are when going mobile. Finally the guests look ahead to what’s next for mobile technology in light of the 10 year health plan, and what Imprivata hopes to achieve both in the short and long term. Guests: Louise Clarkson, chief nursing information officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Daniel Johnston, associate chief nursing informatics officer and director of clinical operations at Imprivata Andy Wilcox, senior product manager – shared services at Imprivata  

Digital Health reporter Jordan Sollof is joined by returning guest Mark Hutchinson, vice-president of healthcare strategy and transformation at Altera Digital Health, to discuss electronic patient record (EPR) procurement, optimisation and delivering tangible benefits. Hutchinson shares his unique perspective, shaped by his time working within the NHS and leading on EPR deployments at several large NHS trusts, on how organisations can take a smarter, more sustainable route to digital maturity. He highlights some real-world success stories that show how a modular, interoperable approach to EPR implementation not only reduces risk but enables frontline teams to realise immediate benefits while laying the foundation for long-term impact. Lastly, Hutchinson talks about how trusts can rethink procurement strategies to better align with their digital transformation goals and reveals what he believes are the most exciting opportunities for innovation in healthcare technology over the next five to ten years. Guest: Mark Hutchinson, vice-president of healthcare strategy and transformation at Altera Digital Health  

The latest episode of Digital Health Unplugged, brought to you in partnership with Optum, delves into the firm's acquisition of EMIS and what it means for the NHS and health technology sector. Host Jordan Sollof is joined by Dr Shaun O’Hanlon, group chief medical officer at Optum, to discuss why it was necessary for EMIS to become Optum and whether there is an element of risk in losing the EMIS name which has been well-known for several decades in the healthcare sector. O’Hanlon talks about the future for the population health and vaccination programmes, which EMIS previously played a major role in, and whether Optum’s focus will remain on the UK or shift to operating globally. He also outlines his vision for the future of primary health technology and what the key plans and goals are for the future for Optum. Digital Health would like to thank its partner, Optum, for this episode. Guest: Dr Shaun O’Hanlon, group chief medical officer at Optum  

Jordan Sollof is joined by representatives of the two Digital Health Rewired 2025 Pitchfest winners, Asclepius MedTech Limited and Daysix. Michael Morgan-Curran, chief executive of Asclepius, winner in the pre-revenue generating category and Ben Beaumont, chief technology officer at Daysix, the revenue generating Pitchfest champion, explain what their solutions are and how their companies were formed. The pair pick out some key highlights and achievements since the start-ups were founded before discussing why they applied for this year’s Pitchfest and what their experience of the process was like. They speak about how winning the competition has already and will continue to help them moving forward, before laying out their goals and ambitions for the coming months and years. Lastly, Morgan-Curran and Beaumont give their expert advice to health tech start-ups considering applying for Pitchfest 2026. Guests: Michael Morgan-Curran, chief executive of Asclepius MedTech Limited Ben Beaumont, chief technology officer at Daysix  

The 100th episode of Digital Health Unplugged sees host Jordan Sollof joined by Dr Lia Ali to chat about the value of being a Digital Health Networks Advisory Panel member ahead of this year’s elections. Ali, a consultant psychiatrist and clinical advisor at the NHS England transformation directorate, explains what the advisory panels do and why they are vital for the digital health community. She discusses being a chief clinical information officer (CCIO) advisory panel member for the last few years, including what motivated her to apply, her most memorable experiences and some of the important issues the panel covered and worked on. Lastly, she shines a light on the impact the advisory panels have on the wider digital health community before encouraging listeners to nominate themselves or a peer to stand in the upcoming elections. Nominations opened for the advisory panel elections on 3 March 2025 and will close on 11 April 2025. You can nominate yourself or a peer to stand in the upcoming Digital Health Networks CCIO, chief information officer (CIO) and chief nursing information officer (CNIO) Advisory Panel elections here. Guest: Dr Lia Ali, consultant psychiatrist, clinical advisor at NHSE transformation directorate and Digital Health CCIO Network Advisory Panel member  

Digital Health Unplugged host Jordan Sollof reports from day two of Rewired 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham. Sollof chats to more speakers and exhibitors to find out their event highlights and the key topics for digital and data this year. He catches up on the latest news from the NHS Innovation Accelerator 2025 launch, discusses clinical safety in AI, tries out a patient entertainment system from Airwave Healthcare and finds out about a digital health initiative at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Guests: Mindy Simon, co-director at NHS Innovation Accelerator Mark Hutchinson, senior vice president: healthcare strategy & transformation, EMEA at Altera Maxx Gattlin, commercial director X-on Health Dean Moody, healthcare services director at Airwave Healthcare   Robert Watson, chief nursing projects officer at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  

Podcast host and reporter Jordan Sollof records live from day one of Rewired 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham. After taking in the atmosphere of the show, Sollof speaks to speakers, session chairs and exhibitors to find out about their hot topics for digital and data this year. Sollof catches up with Damian Pearce, chief commercial officer at Stalis to chat about the impact of AI on healthcare and some of the highlights on the AI and Data Stage. Next Alan Payne, group product and engineering director at Rewired 2025 co-sponsor, The Access Group, discusses the key takeaways from his earlier session on ‘Putting people at the heart of health and social care’ on the Integrated Care Stage. Sollof asks Lee Rickles, chief information officer at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, about the government’s disbandment of NHS England and the possible impact on the digital health sector. Rickles also discusses the sessions he is chairing on ‘Putting people at the heart of health and social care’ and ‘Enhancing cross-sector partnerships: From primary to communities’. Finally, Sollof joins Paul Deffley, UK chief medical officer at Alcidion at the company’s stand to discuss what will be coming up at his day two session on ‘Transforming clinical support with digital systems and platforms’, which will take place on the Best Practice Showcase Stage. Guests: Lee Rickles, chief information officer at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Damian Pearce, chief commercial officer at Stalis Alan Payne, group product and engineering director at The Access Group Paul Deffley, UK chief medical officer at Alcidion  

Jordan Sollof is joined by Kaye Reynolds and Sascha Mullen to delve into how ‘legacy debt’ in the NHS is risking patient safety and the important role that clinical safety officers (CSOs) play. Legacy debt refers to a historical failure to comply with digital clinical safety standards. The Digital Health Networks CSO Council has issued an advisory statement for NHS trusts and integrated care boards about the potential consequences of not completing tasks such as hazard logging and safety case reporting for software. Reynolds, lead digital CSO at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, and Mullen, chief nursing information officer and CSO at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, discuss what the issues could mean for patient safety and what trusts need to do to help tackle the problem. They also highlight the role of CSOs and why there need to be more across the NHS, before leaving listeners with their final key takeaways for healthcare leaders. The podcast follows a story from Digital Health News on the Digital Health Networks CSO Council issuing an advisory statement for NHS trusts and integrated care boards about the potential consequences of not completing tasks such as hazard logging and safety case reporting for software. Guests: Kaye Reynolds, lead digital CSO at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust Sascha Mullen, chief nursing information officer and CSO at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust  

This episode of Digital Health Unplugged sees Euan McComiskie and Eddie Olla delve into the use of generative AI in healthcare and what the key risks of the technology are for clinicians and patients. McComiskie, health informatics lead at The Charted Society of Physiotherapy and Digital Health Networks CNIO Advisory Panel member, recently spoke about the Digital Health Networks position statement to Digital Health’s news editor Tammy Lovell, and expands on his thoughts in the episode. Olla, chief digital information officer at NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), joins in on the discussion, highlighting some key risks, such as hallucinations and bias in AI algorithms. The pair discuss how we can balance excitement for AI with caution and what medical schools’ approach to using AI should be, before rounding off by predicting what will happen in the coming months and years with regards to AI in healthcare. Guests: Euan McComiskie, physiotherapist, health informatics lead at The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and member of Digital Health Networks CNIO Advisory Panel Eddie Olla, chief digital information officer at NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB  

The latest episode of Digital Health Unplugged features Holly Coole, senior manager for digital mental health at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), talking about the regulation of digital mental health technologies (DMHTs). Tammy Lovell, news editor at Digital Health News, chats to Coole about the three-year Digital Mental Health Project, which aims to improve outcomes for people with mental health conditions by ensuring that both medical professionals and the public have safe and effective access to DMHTs. In the podcast they discuss how the project, led by the MHRA in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, aims to provide clarity around the key considerations for the regulation and valuation of DMHTs.   They also talk about the challenges of regulating this area and why it is so important to protect patient safety, and ensure access to effective products for mental health.  Coole, who is a registered mental health nurse, co-authored a paper on the project, published in The Lancet Digital Health in January 2025. Listen to this episode to discover what this project means for the future of mental health technology in the UK. Guest: Holly Coole, senior manager for digital mental health at the MHRA  

In the first episode of the new year, Jordan Sollof, reporter at Digital Health News chats to Rachel Dunscombe, chief executive of OpenEHR International, about the importance of healthcare data, electronic patient records (EPRs) and having more female representation in digital health.  Dunscombe stresses the importance of standardised, quality data in improving healthcare and outcomes and what AI is capable of achieving in 2025 and beyond. She also gives her take on the UK EPR market and whether anything more needs to be done to make better use of the platforms, before highlighting the importance of women having leadership roles and there being diversity in the digital health sector. Dunscombe is a confirmed keynote speaker at Digital Health Rewired 2025. She looks ahead to the event and explains what she is hoping to take from it and get across to the audience. Digital Health Rewired takes place on 18-19 March 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham and is free for those in the NHS and public sector. Guest: Rachel Dunscombe, chief executive at OpenEHR International  

In the final Unplugged episode of the year, the Digital Health News team reflect on the biggest stories covered in 2024 and look ahead to what they think will be big on the news agenda in 2025. Stories discussed include Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS and the hotly-anticipated Autumn Budget, in which more than £2 billion investment was announced for NHS technology and digital. Cyber security is also a hot topic, with three major attacks on the NHS including the attack on pathology provider Synnovis causing widespread disruption to services in south east London. The team also discuss the federated data platform and controversy surrounding its supplier Palantir. Listen on to hear the news team’s analysis of 2024 and predictions for the new year… Panel: Jordan Sollof, podcast host and news reporter at Digital Health Jon Hoeksma, chief executive at Digital Health Tammy Lovell, news editor at Digital Health Thelma Agnew, features editor at Digital Health Thanks for listening to the show throughout 2024. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

The latest episode of Digital Health Unplugged explores how data and digital solutions are improving care pathways and advancing clinical research. Brought to you in partnership with Oracle Health, Jordan Sollof passes the hosting duties over to Ryan Irwin, lead client executive at Oracle Health. He is joined by Ameet Bakhai, consultant cardiologist, physician and research director at The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust, and Debbie Phillips, chief clinical information officer (CCIO) at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The pair explain how data and digital solutions can improve care pathways and clinical research that brings significant opportunity for improving health outcomes, and the need to ensure effective planning, staff and patient engagement and implementation strategies. The episode also highlights how Milton Keynes is designing enhanced clinical workflows that are underpinned with technology and use data for continuous improvement. Digital Health would like to thank its partner for this episode, Oracle Health. Panel: Ryan Irwin, lead client executive at Oracle Health Ameet Bakhai, consultant cardiologist, physician and research director at The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust Debbie Phillips, CCIO at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  

Jordan Sollof is joined by DJ Hamblin-Brown and Simon Weldon in an episode focused on the challenges of clinical coordination in the UK health system and how they can be addressed. Hamblin-Brown, emergency doctor and chief executive at digital health firm CAREFUL, and Weldon, chief executive at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, discuss what is meant by clinical coordination, why it is important to patients and families and how it is relevant to the Labour government’s new policy agenda. The pair explain why clinical coordination is difficult to achieve, give examples of best practice and highlight the main issues that the NHS is facing. They suggest how digital can play a key role in the helping the health system to become more coordinated, before looking ahead with optimism for the future. Guests: DJ Hamblin-Brown, emergency doctor and chief executive at CAREFUL Simon Weldon, CEO at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust