Empowering Digital Confidence at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust

At Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), digital transformation is more than just technology - it’s about people.

The KMPT Digital Skills Framework is a shining example of how strategic alignment and inclusive design can elevate digital literacy across an entire organisation.

Our journey began with a clear recognition of digital gaps. The existing Digital Skills Assessment Tool didn’t provide us with the detail required to address our service needs, and our Business Intelligence systems revealed poor data quality and inaccuracies in Electronic Patient Record (EPR) record keeping.

Additionally, clinical staff lacked awareness of upcoming digital systems, highlighting the need for a standardised and strategic approach to digital training. Despite the hard work of our dedicated EPR trainers and Digital Trainers, we lacked knowledge of where we needed to focus our attention and what feedback our staff had on the digital systems we provide.

To ensure the strategy was inclusive and relevant, we engaged key stakeholders through monthly working groups, including digital trainers, digital champions, clinicians, EPR trainers and the Digital Service Desk. National frameworks were reviewed, and a Digital Skills Survey was launched alongside the Framework to help us understand workforce needs.

This co-design approach ensured the framework was grounded in real-world challenges and aspirations. The Digital Skills Framework and Survey cover over 24 local digital systems and is structured around three key areas: Digital Essentials, Management Essentials, and EPR Essentials.

It includes Microsoft tools, clinical systems, and advanced digital skills, supporting both career progression and improved patient care. The framework is being developed into an interactive tool to enhance ongoing accessibility and engagement.

Central to the strategy is the Digital Champion Network, comprising 165 voluntary and 5 funded champions across KMPT sites.

These champions have played a vital role in testing and refining the framework and survey, ensuring training is user-friendly and relevant. Their involvement at every stage - from design to delivery - has been instrumental in the initiative’s success.

The Digital Skills Survey received responses which represented 22% of the organisation. Analysis revealed themes and trends across professions, systems, and length of service. These insights have shaped training priorities and tailored content to meet specific needs.

In response to the survey, KMPT launched new Kent and Medway Care Record (KMCR) training, EPR Advanced Training, and we have begun developing Business Intelligence (BI) training. Additional champions were recruited, and our Managers Induction Programme now includes essential digital skills for managers.

Lastly, we have developed a Fix-It-Force, comprising digital experts such as the training team and the service desk or IT infrastructure who are going out into services and fixing issues in real time at the source. These actions reflect KMPT’s commitment to continuous improvement and workforce empowerment.

The Digital Training Hub on iLearn is central to KMPT’s standardised approach. It offers structured modules, training videos, guides, and face-to-face sessions delivered by expert digital trainers. Champions continue to test and refine these resources before they go live, ensuring quality and relevance.

KMPT is striving to embed digital skills into supervision, appraisal, and job descriptions. Trust Induction and Managers Induction programmes ensure consistency from day one. All resources, including the full framework, are available in the Digital Academy FutureNHS community.

The KMPT Digital Skills strategy is more than a framework - it’s a cultural shift. It empowers staff, enhances patient outcomes, and aligns with both the Trust’s vision and the NHS Long Term Plan. Through strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and champion-driven innovation, KMPT is building a digitally confident workforce ready for the future.