The document discusses raising ICT knowledge and skills in the health sector. It outlines the background and aims of the HSC ICT training strategy, which recognizes the importance of ICT skills for professionals. The strategy's objectives include establishing informatics as a core element of professional education, supporting ICT skills development in primary care, identifying accredited qualifications, establishing mechanisms to develop the ICT agenda, and providing training support for key ICT infrastructure projects. While competing priorities have made ICT a lower priority, the strategy acknowledges the importance of ICT training for professional development. Improving staff ICT knowledge and skills is crucial to implementing the strategy and realizing the potential of ICT.

1. Raising the Level of ICT Knowledge and skills in the HSC Paul Comac ICT ETD Programme Manager HSC ICT Training Group

2. Content Background Aims and Objectives Current Situation Conclusions

3. ICT Training Strategy: Background ICT Training Strategy recognises the principle of ‘information’ being valued as a resource the importance of relevant knowledge and skills in ICT for Professional staff emphasizes the extent to which all levels of staff use IT stresses the need for Education, Training and Development in ICT as being of fundamental importance HSC ICT Training group key sponsor remit to take forward ICT training and development agenda

4. HSC ICT Strategy: Key Components Electronic Communication of basic care information Helping care professionals to assess, plan and deliver care Supporting care delivery across organisational boundaries Meeting e-public service targets Success underpinned by training

5. The Strategy Vision

6. ICT Training Strategy: Aims Create a framework for Education Training and Development (ETD) based on the HSC ICT strategy Assist HSC organisations in developing their ICT ETD strategies Provide longer term vision and direction for ETD within the HSC ICT strategy

7. Objective 1 To establish informatics as a core element in professional education Informatics core curriculum Research into Knowledge, Skills, Abilities of Professionals to ICT

8. Objective 2 To support the development of Informatics and ICT skills in Primary Care Coding; ECDL; PRINCE2; Needs Assessment; Commissioning; Practice Development Planning; ICT and Quality and Outcomes Framework; website and intranet training

9. Objective 3 To identify a range of accredited qualifications for staff European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL); ECDL Health; ELITE; PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programmes (MSP); Microsoft IT Skills Academy Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma in UU; (Junior) Informatics development programme

10. Objective 4 To establish mechanisms to develop the ICT agenda ICT Trainers network; leading edge seminars; elearning skills development (MOODLE)

11. Objective 5 To provide ETD support to key ICT infrastructure developments Health and Care No ECR NIPACS

12. Objective 6 To facilitate HSC organisations ICT ETD responses to relevant legislative and policy requirements. Freedom Of Information; Data Protection Act; ICT security (e-learning); Gateway Review and Business case training

13. Current Situation Competing pressures on resources means that ICT is not always given priority place ICT/Informatics not embedded in professional practice and curricula but; Recognition in ICT Strategy of importance of ICT Training and; Recognition of importance of ICT in professional CPD Wide range of ICT Training solutions available e.g e-learning; accredited programmes

14. Conclusion s Improving staff Knowledge and skills in ICT is crucial to implementation of the ICT strategy to securing the potential of ICT HSC ICT Training group can play a central role but only in support of organisations and their staff