This week’s leadership message comes from Dr Rebecca Randell, Professor of Digital Innovations in Healthcare at the University of Bradford.

Posted on: 30 May 2025

Making digital work for healthcare

We often hear about the potential of digital technologies to transform healthcare, improving access to information, streamlining processes and supporting better patient outcomes. But those of us working in health and care know that the reality on the ground can be much more complicated.

Too often, digital tools are introduced without a full appreciation of the context in which they’ll be used. As a result, they may be underused, used in unintended ways, or create new challenges. At the Centre for Digital Innovations in Health and Social Care at the University of Bradford, we’ve seen this in our research. In one study, we observed nurses completing falls risk assessments in a way that met documentation requirements but didn’t support meaningful clinical reflection on patients’ changing needs. This wasn’t a reflection on the nurses, but rather on the burden that electronic systems can place on staff, especially when information is spread across multiple screens and completing a simple form takes far too many mouse clicks.

Digital transformation also brings a risk of exacerbating health inequalities. Without inclusive design practices, new technologies can inadvertently exclude the very communities they aim to serve. That’s why co-design is at the heart of our work, working with both healthcare professionals and patients, especially those whose voices are often underrepresented, to ensure solutions are relevant, usable and equitable.

At the Centre, we take a challenge-led approach. Rather than starting with a particular technology, we begin by understanding the challenges clinicians and patients face. Our aim is to develop tools that fit into everyday practice and make work easier, not harder.

We’re currently expanding, following a £4.86 million award from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England (E3) scheme. This funding recognises the strength of our research and is helping us grow our team and extend our expertise. Alongside our existing strengths in digital health co-design, evaluation, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence, we’ve welcomed new colleagues with backgrounds in nursing informatics, software engineering, information science and health economics.

Our current focus

The expanded Centre is working towards four core objectives:

To research novel technologies that provide disruptive solutions to health and care challenges, tangibly improving patient outcomes and wellbeing in West Yorkshire.
To establish a diverse pipeline of health informatics talent that contributes to the design, evaluation and effective deployment of digital innovations in health and social care settings within West Yorkshire.
To upskill the health and social care workforce in digital innovations, resulting in a demonstrable increase in effective and efficient use of technology.
To foster a dynamic ecosystem of innovation in digital health solutions, services and products, driving economic growth in West Yorkshire.

While our research has international reach, we are rooted in West Yorkshire and driven by a commitment to making a positive difference locally. If you’re grappling with a challenge where digital might help, or if you’ve identified a need for digital training in your organisation, we’d welcome a conversation. Together, we can explore how we can support you.

Thank you for reading

CDIHSC@bradford.ac.uk

https://www.bradford.ac.uk/health/research/digital-innovations/

What's been happening this week?

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary marks one year since opening the new A&E

Just after midnight on 22 May 2025, the Accident and Emergency (A&E) at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) marked one year since the new department opened to patients.

Since the new department opened a year ago, nearly 90,000 patients have come through the door, including 15,000 children who have been seen in the dedicated new children’s area. 13,500 people have been treated for minor injuries such as broken bones and cuts, and over 21,000 ambulances have dropped patients off for urgent and emergency treatment. Find out more on the Trust website.

More than 700 people have their say on birth choices in Wakefield District

Since February, people across the district have had the opportunity to give their feedback on a proposal to not reinstate the birth facility at Pontefract Hospital while continuing to provide antenatal and postnatal care there. People would still have access to a full range of birth choices, including home births, midwife-led units in Pinderfields and Dewsbury, and consultant-led care at Pinderfields Hospital.

Over 700 people took part in the consultations through drop-in sessions, online events, interviews and a survey. Find out more on the Wakefield District website.

Celebrating #EQW2025: building a fairer NHS for all

Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week (19 to 23 May 2025) is a powerful reminder of the ongoing work across the NHS to make our health and care system fairer, more inclusive and more compassionate for both patients and staff.

At NHS West Yorkshire ICB, we’re proud to support #EQW2025 by shining a light on the actions we take every day to embed equality into everything we do. One way we do this is through equality. Read more on our website.

West Yorkshire celebrates launch of new clinical research hub

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has officially launched the NIHR Bradford and West Yorkshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), marking a significant advancement for clinical research in the region. The centre is one of just 21 specialist research hubs established nationwide with significant investment over seven years. It aims to transform how clinical trials are delivered across West Yorkshire.

The NIHR CRDC Bradford and West Yorkshire will focus on disease areas particularly relevant to West Yorkshire communities, including respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oncology, while pioneering innovative approaches to patient recruitment and trial management. With this launch, West Yorkshire strengthens its position as a premier location for clinical research in the UK, promising faster access to innovative treatments for patients while contributing to medical advances that benefit people worldwide. Find out more on the BIHR website.

National Staff Networks Day

To celebrate National Staff Network Day earlier this month, a masterclass was held for network chairs and co-chairs from across our partnership. Delivered by Ian Holmes, ICB Director of Strategy and Partnerships, and hosted by Fatima Khan Shah, West Yorkshire Inclusivity Champion, the session focused on negotiation and influencing skills. It highlighted the important role of network leads in shaping inclusive workplaces, strengthening staff voice and leading change. Those attending gained practical tools to support confident, collaborative leadership across the system.

Focus on healthy hearts

To mark World Hypertension Day, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) hosted a health awareness event on its main concourse, encouraging staff and the public to take charge of their blood pressure and overall wellbeing.

Health and wellbeing partners joined forces to run four interactive stalls. Living Well provided support to stop smoking and promoted local health programmes. BTHFT Occupational Health and Living Well teams carried out 36 blood pressure checks, referring four people to their GPs after identifying high readings. Xyla’s diabetes stand shared key information about managing type 2 diabetes and the support available through their programme.

The event sparked 58 meaningful health conversations, as staff and visitors engaged directly with experts. The initiative empowered individuals to prioritise regular blood pressure checks, embrace healthy lifestyle changes and connect with local support services.