Imperial College London's Institute of Global Health Innovation will work with Harvard Medical School and The University of Edinburgh  Credit: PA

Three of the world’s leading universities will host the NHS Digital Academy, a new service that will offer health service staff online training in leadership and digital skills.

The academy, which will begin accepting applications in September, will train an estimated 300 clinical and management staff each year. Studying part time, NHS workers will be given virtual training in areas including how best to use technology to improve delivery of care, and how to create efficiencies.

Courses will be delivered by Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, working alongside Harvard Medical School, and the University of Edinburgh. All three institutions are among the 25 leading universities in the world, according to the latest annual rankings from higher-education specialist QS.

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Rachel Dunscombe, whose day job is as director of digital at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, will serve as the Academy’s chief executive.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us to act as a catalyst for the CIOs and CCIOs [chief clinical information officer], equipping them with the skills and leadership to safely digitise the NHS,” she said. “I am delighted to be part of the Digital Academy and feel privileged to be able to be at the helm of accelerating the digital health profession. 

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt added: “If the NHS is going to have world-class IT systems, we need a major programme to spread global best practice – and this links three of the best universities in the world to do just that. The academy will ensure the next generation of NHS leaders is well equipped with the most exciting innovations that deliver the best care available to patients everywhere.”

In the coming weeks, the NHS Digital academy will be looking to attain accreditation from the Federation of Informatics Professionals and the Faculty of Clinical Informatics.