In a candid conversation with Paul Charnley, a distinguished Luminary Advisor for St. Vincent’s Consulting, the focus turned to the vital themes of collaboration, sharing, and learning within healthcare IT. Charnley's wealth of experience, ranging from his roles in the private sector to his dedicated work within the NHS, provided valuable insights, and in recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was awarded CIO of the Year 2021. Read on to find out more and discover his top five tips!

A Journey Rooted in NHS Commitment:

Charnley emphasised his unwavering commitment to the NHS throughout his career, even during his tenure in the private sector. He underscored the pivotal role of the NHS in his professional life, steering his trajectory towards impactful contributions within the healthcare domain.

The Power of Collaboration Across NHS Trusts:

Drawing on his extensive experience, Charnley delved into the transformative nature of collaboration across NHS Trusts. He highlighted the historical challenges of Trusts competing rather than collaborating, leading to a lack of information sharing. The shift towards Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and providers, according to Charnley, represents a positive stride. This model encourages collective efforts to keep people well and out of hospitals, fostering a more unified and efficient healthcare approach.

Global Impact and Technological Advancements:

Charnley's narrative took an international turn when he detailed his role in Qatar from 2010 to 2015. Tasked with implementing Cerner Millennium (now Oracle Health) in 8 Qatari hospitals which needed to be modernised as part of the country's World Cup bid. This global initiative showcased the intersection of modern healthcare and cutting-edge technology, highlighting Charnley's role in advancing healthcare practices in other countries. It also helped him see how things might be done differently.

Blueprinting for Success:

A substantial part of the conversation revolved around the concept of "Blueprints” and his role in the NHS England Digital Blueprint Programme. Charnley explained how sharing knowledge, especially regarding Electronic Patient Records (EPRs), can be challenging due to infrequent implementations by NHS Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and their teams who might only go through one or two in their careers. Suppliers, having more implementation experiences, offer valuable insights into common patterns, issues, and opportunities which also need to be shared. Charnley sees blueprints as a way to create a network of individuals tackling similar problems, offering a repository of experiences and solutions.

The Luminary Service:

Charnley shed light on the Luminary service's role in providing guidance based on experience. This collaborative effort between Luminary Advisors and local teams aims to ensure the success of healthcare programmes. Reflecting on the importance of reflective practice, Charnley drew parallels between blueprints and digital communities, fostering an environment for learning, improvement, and collaboration.

Collaboration is pivotal to our success here at St. Vincent’s and recently assisted us in addressing a North-West Trust's challenge in implementing Cerner's Millennium EPR system. Through our unique Luminaries service, we provided specialist guidance from previous NHS NEDs, COOs, CIOs, CCIOs, CNIOs and Supplier Executives. The structured engagement model included weekly programme sessions, monthly meetings with the executive team, and personalised mentorship sessions. The collaboration proved pivotal in aiding the Trust's decision-making on crucial aspects such as data migration, governance models, and programme delivery, showcasing the success of strategic collaboration in navigating complex healthcare transformations.

Future Directions: Collaborative Workforce and AI Integration

Looking ahead, Charnley sees the potential for a collaborative workforce, especially in specialised areas like cybersecurity. He envisions a collective approach to workforce development, ensuring the sharing of expertise across multiple organisations. Discussing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Charnley anticipates AI becoming an integral part of healthcare, with the need for standardisation and collaboration to harness its benefits while maintaining a balance with clinical responsibility.

Balancing Technological Advancements with Human Touch:

However, Charnley emphasised the importance of balancing technological advancements, including AI, with the human touch in healthcare. While acknowledging the potential of AI to streamline processes, he cautioned against excessive reliance, emphasising the need for ongoing collaboration between system designers and users to ensure user-friendly interfaces.

Standardisation Challenges and Aspirations:

Addressing the question of standardised EPR systems across all Trusts, Charnley expressed doubt regarding its feasibility and affordability. Instead, he envisions a framework where Trusts can add localised elements, maintaining a balance between standardisation and flexibility. This approach would prioritise achieving common goals, even if implemented through different systems.

Digital Challenges and Post-COVID:

Reflecting on the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, Charnley highlighted the impressive collaboration witnessed during those critical times. From swiftly preparing facilities for patients to addressing digital challenges around testing and vaccination, the pandemic showcased the healthcare sector's resilience and adaptability.

Paul’s Top Five Tips

1. Emphasise Commitment to Collaboration Across Healthcare Organisations: Acknowledge the role of external advisors such as St. Vincents Luminaries, providing guidance based on experience to ensure the success of healthcare programmes. Organisations should prioritise collaboration over competition to enhance information sharing and improve patient outcomes.

2. Utilise Blueprints for Knowledge Sharing: Create a network where NHS Chief Information Officers (CIOs), their teams and suppliers share implementation experiences, common patterns, issues, and solutions to overcome challenges and improve healthcare practices.

3. Leverage Global Perspectives and Technological Advancements: Healthcare professionals should stay informed about global initiatives and embrace cutting-edge technology to advance their own healthcare systems.

4. Promote Collaborative Workforce Development and AI Integration: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is anticipated, and stakeholders should focus on standardisation and collaboration to maximise AI benefits while maintaining responsibility for clinical safety.

5. Balance Technological Advancements with Human Touch: Acknowledging the potential of digitisation, automation, and AI in optimising processes, healthcare professionals must steer clear of overreliance. It's essential to foster ongoing collaboration between system designers and users, ensuring the creation of interfaces that prioritise user-friendliness. This approach ensures that technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human element in healthcare.

In summary, Paul Charnley's insights underscore the critical role of collaboration, learning, and adaptability in shaping the future of healthcare IT. His journey, marked by a steadfast commitment to the NHS, serves as an inspiration for healthcare professionals navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.