In this episode of Digital Ecology, I have the pleasure of speaking with Natalie Hayes, the Chief Nursing Information Officer in a large acute trust in the Northwest. Our conversation centres on the impact of technology on nursing in the NHS and Natalie's experiences advocating for nurses in the digital transformation space.

Natalie has been in her role for three years and describes it as being an advocate for nurses and digital transformation, translating between nursing and IT worlds. Her responsibilities include focusing on projects, system usability, data usage, clinical safety, maintenance of existing systems, and communication with various stakeholders, making her role vital to the intersection of nursing and technology.

Natalie emphasises the tangible benefits of digital healthcare, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shares her passion for the CNIO role. We also discuss the "We Are Not Waiting" movement in the diabetes community, where families created closed-loop pancreas, highlighting the proactive approach to using technology in managing diabetes.

Delving into the evolving role of Chief Nursing Information Officers, the digital literacy challenges facing nursing staff, and the importance of technology being people-centric and efficient in healthcare. We also explored the potential for automating more processes in healthcare, the importance of involving nurses in procuring and assessing software, and the need for system integration in nursing to reduce redundant documentation.

We conclude on a reflective note, highlighting the operational challenges in the NHS and the necessity for a more structured career path for nurses in senior digital health roles, as well as the lasting understanding of the benefits of digital healthcare and remote clinics, particularly for specific patient groups.

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The Digital Ecology Podcast is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network, your go-to audio destination for the latest in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Discover more at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.