NHS Providers has today published a comprehensive new guide for boards leading the digital transformation agenda.

Effectively embedding digital in your trust is the final guide as part of NHS Providers' Digital Boards programme, which was delivered in partnership with Public Digital, commissioned by Health Education England as part of its Digital Academy, and supported by NHS England. Over the last three years, the programme has engaged more than 2,000 trust leaders across more than 40 events and delivered almost 100 bespoke board development sessions.

This overarching publication highlights key learnings from the programme's previous six leadership guides. It covers insights from NHS board leaders on a range of topics, including:

1. Digital leadership – understanding the role of the board
2. Building and enabling digital teams 
3. Creating an effective digital strategy 
4. Making technology decisions 
5. Digital delivery 
6. Optimising your EPR.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"Three years on from the launch of our programme, boards are increasingly driving the digital agenda. Our leadership guides have supported their journey alongside our events and bespoke sessions. This final guide provides a snapshot of what matters most when it comes to board leadership. It has been designed so that busy board leaders can dip into certain chapters at different stages of their digital journey.

"We're immensely proud of what we've delivered for trusts over the last three years and look forward to the next chapter."

James Freed, chief digital and information officer at Health Education England said:

"This seventh and final Digital Boards guide brings together all the fantastic advice and good practice from previous guides into one handy place – a brilliant resource for busy board leaders to reference if they need a quick refresher on any of the key elements of digital transformation."

Sonia Patel, system chief information officer and director of levelling up at NHS England said:

"The engagement of integrated care board and trust board members is vital to our ongoing work to digitise, connect and transform health and social care in England.

"Over the last three years, the Digital Boards programme has delivered resources, networking and support to enable boards to better champion digital programmes. This important guide brings together much of that learning, supporting leaders to ensure digital becomes a board-owned priority."

Cate McLaurin, director at Public Digital said:

"Over the course of the past three years we've published a wealth of advice and tips for board leaders, based on both Public Digital's wide experience and expertise across the public and private sector, alongside the deep insight we've gained from working with over 90 trusts.

"This guide brings that knowledge together into one place, with practical tips for trust leadership on how to successfully lead digital transformation to ensure it supports better outcomes and experience for their patients and staff."