Driving Digital Transformation
HI NENC drives inclusive digital transformation in healthcare across the North East and North Cumbria. We support the digital ambitions of the NHS Long Term plan, helping to accelerate the adoption of digital health technology to improve patient access to health and care services.
Our work supports NHS system partners to overcome challenges in adopting digital tools and services. Through our Innovation Pathway, we guide healthcare providers and innovators through a structured process to explore, evaluate and implement digital solutions into the NHS.
Supporting national shifts in healthcare
HI NENC’s Digital Transformation programmes are aligned to support the UK Government’s three key shifts in healthcare:
- From hospitals to communities – we support partners to embed remote monitoring in healthcare technologies. These tools help patients to manage long-term conditions safely and confidently from home.
- From analogue to digital – We help our local NHS to co-design and adopt inclusive digital tools and services. These technologies enable patients to manage their care independently.
- From sickness to prevention – We apply the latest healthcare technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to better predict patient needs and improve early diagnosis.
Connecting system partners to build an inclusive digital ecosystem
We work with a network of health and care professionals who lead the digital transformation agenda across the region’s Integrated Care System (ICS). Through our strong links and partnerships, we bring together the right people with the right skills, to help shape a more joined-up and inclusive digital health and care ecosystem.
For more information, please contact Dave Belshaw, Digital Transformation Director.
Remote monitoring pilot accelerates digital innovation in primary care
A pioneering remote monitoring pilot is supporting primary care staff by developing more efficient ways of working. Led by HI NENC in partnership with NENC Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB), the programme tested digital pathways in five GP practices for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and contraceptive pill checks.
Early outcomes are promising—one practice saved 50 appointments in just one month, with the potential to save 50,000 appointments annually if scaled up. Practices also reported improved efficiency, reduced GP workload, and better patient experience. This pilot highlights how digital innovation can streamline primary care clinical pathways and support wider adoption of remote monitoring.
Evaluating the Eko Digital Stethoscope: Improving diagnosis and training
HI NENC tested the Eko Core Digital Stethoscope to explore how benefit primary care professionals. Redmoor Health provided 20 devices for evaluation.
The results showed key benefits, including clearer sound, the ability to record and review heart and lung sounds, and its usefulness as a training tool. The stethoscope was particularly effective in noisy settings and for remote consultations, supporting telemedicine.
Over three-quarters of participants plan to continue using the device. It also has potential applications in virtual wards, care homes, and paediatrics.
Supporting NHS Digital Transformation: SDE Stakeholder Analysis
HI NENC collaborated with the NENC Secure Data Environment (SDE) to engage key stakeholders and shape future plans.
Through its Innovation Design Service, HI NENC led a fast-paced session with NHS Trusts, industry, academia, and researchers. This session gathered valuable insights, challenged existing assumptions, and identified gaps to ensure the SDE meets regional needs.
The findings helped to develop a clear business model, guiding the SDE’s future strategic direction.
Our Programmes
Digital solutions in care homes

HI NENC has supported the accelerated use of digital solutions in care homes since 2017, with the aim of transforming patient care across the North East and North Cumbria. To date, we’ve helped make digital solutions available to over 280…
Digital Inclusion Forum

HI NENC identified a need to bring together people from across sectors to explore digital inclusion, the challenges to overcome, and identify best practice opportunities that could be shared across the region. As a result of this, HI NENC held…
Digital Champions

Digital Champions is a free digital health education programme for primary care staff. Champions play a crucial role to support people get online and develop their digital skills. They will share knowledge, influence and encourage both staff and patients to…
Digital accelerator

The HI NENC digital accelerator programme supports the rapid design and delivery of new ways of working in health and social care. Using design thinking, continuous improvement, and shared learning, we help transform services to meet healthcare system and patient…