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In this episode, I'm joined by Neil Morgan, Chief Analytics Officer at NHS Midlands & Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit, where he leads on business intelligence and analytics across Integrated Care Boards and partner organisations.

Neil also wears another important hat — as Director of Advocacy & Strategy at AphA, the Association of Professional Healthcare Analysts. He's a passionate advocate for how data and technology can empower intelligence-led planning, improve delivery, and ultimately drive better outcomes for patients.

Today, Neil joins us to talk about AphA’s brand new Endorsement and Accreditation service — a major milestone in professionalising and uplifting the analytics profession within health and care

In this episode of the NHS Fika Bites podcast, hosts John and Andy speak with Jon Rhodes, the Delivery Director at Paper, about digital transformation in healthcare. The conversation centres on:

• Human-Centred Design in Digital Services: Jon and his team at Paper focus on designing digital healthcare services with people, not just for them, ensuring inclusivity and usability.

• The Evolution of the Chief Data Analytics Officer (CDAO) Role: The NHS, like other industries, is seeing the CDAO role evolve beyond data governance into AI, ethics, and organisational strategy.

• Industry Insights on the CDAO Journey: Paper is conducting research to understand the challenges, learning paths, and knowledge gaps that NHS data leaders have faced in their careers.

• The Future of Data-Driven Healthcare: Andy and Jon discuss the growing demand for data professionals, the importance of governance and ethics in AI, and how digital innovation is shaping the NHS.

• Upcoming Research Findings: Jon teases future insights from Paper’s research, promising to return for a follow-up episode to share key takeaways for healthcare leaders.

In this episode of Fika Bites, hosts John and Andy sit down with Huw Davies from Davies Furlong Consulting to discuss the refreshed National Competency Framework for data professionals in healthcare. The conversation delves into the rapid evolution of data analytics, driven by machine learning, AI, and the increasing importance of data ethics and governance.

Huw explains how the framework has evolved to include new roles such as data ethicists and governance specialists, reflecting the growing need for ethical oversight in the age of AI. The framework is designed to help professionals identify their skills, navigate potential career paths, and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes by leveraging data effectively.

Huw also emphasises that the framework is a product of collective input from the data community, and encourages more professionals to get involved. He advocates for the use of resources like AnalystX and highlights the framework’s potential in guiding the future of healthcare through informed, data-driven decisions.

Exclusive sneak preview with a very special guest—Ming Tang, Chief Data & Analytics Officer for NHS England on the NHS Data and Analytics Academy, set to launch in April 2025.

- How are data and analytics transforming healthcare?

- What exciting opportunities lie ahead for the next generation of talent?

- How will the Academy support the career growth of future healthcare professionals?

In this episode of "Fika Bites," John and Andy discuss the expansion of the National Competency Framework for data and analytical professionals. Andy shares insights into their work to introduce four new roles—Data Ethicist, Data Governance Manager, Machine Learning Engineer, and Analytics Engineer—by refining role definitions, mapping career paths, and incorporating community feedback.

Key points include:

Community Engagement: Andy emphasises the collaborative process of engaging experts and practitioners to refine role definitions and adapt the framework for NHS-specific needs.

Leadership Evolution: Updates to the leadership framework focus on embedding leadership qualities from the start of a professional’s career.

Consultations and Specialisms: Ongoing consultations seek feedback on existing roles and specialisms to keep the framework relevant in the fast-evolving field of data and analytics.

Opportunities for Involvement: Listeners are invited to participate in the testing and refinement of the framework between December and January, helping to ensure it resonates with the analytical community.

In this episode of "Fika Bites," hosts John and Andrew interview Sarah Blundell, a lead for Data and Analytical Development at NHS England, who discusses the development and goals of the Data Analytics Academy.

Key points include:

1. Foundation and Link to the National Competency Framework

2. Structure and Accessibility

3. Four Pillars of Focus:

o New Talent

o Existing Workforce

o Leadership Development

o Wider Workforce

4. Soft Launch and Formal Rollout:

Official launch: April 2025. But you don’t have to wait! Explore soft-launched resources on Analyst X today.

#NCF #Data #DataAnalytics #DataEngineer #DataScience #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #CareerPath#NHSInnovation #ProfessionalDevelopment #FikaBites #NHSData

Thrilled to share Conor Moag’s inspiring journey in data analytics! On the latest episode of Fika Bites, Conor, a data engineer at Dorset County Hospital, discusses how the National Competency Framework (NCF) provided him with clarity, direction, and the tools to excel in his career.

Through routine self-assessment and proactive planning, Conor has successfully navigated from Band 5 to Band 6 roles and is now exploring data science and machine learning pathways!

This conversation is a fantastic reminder of the value in setting structured development goals and having supportive mentorship. Conor’s experience highlights the power of continuous learning and the NCF’s role in fostering growth and adaptability for data professionals.

Fika Bites Episode - Jo Bayliss by Stream DNA

A conversation with Kayleigh Gleave, Data Quality Manager at North-West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, about how she’s using the National Competency Framework to drive her career forward.

Kayleigh shares how this tool brings clarity to career paths, highlighting essential skills for growth, and discusses her vision for an app to update progress on the go. She also emphasises that this framework is valuable not just for data professionals, but for leaders and managers too—helping support the professionalisation of Data & Analytics and unlocking its full potential.

Marc dives into the evolving data landscape, sharing insights on the new roles, skills, and language shaping our field—think engineering, analysis, data science, and more. He explains how the new framework simplifies the hiring process, offering ready-to-use JDs, interview questions, and tools to build a smarter, more sophisticated development plan. 📈