Reflections on my journey in digital health

Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for NHS England reflects on her journey in digital.

Sonia will be leaving her role in March to take up the position of interim government CTO for a fixed 12-month term.

As I prepare to leave my role as Chief Technology Officer for NHS England, I’ve found myself reflecting on the journey that brought me here - the people who shaped me, the opportunities that stretched me, and the moments that helped me understand the kind of leader I wanted to become.

Working in digital health for more than two decades has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It has allowed me to contribute to a mission that matters deeply: building a health and care system that is more connected, more equitable, and more compassionate.

Leading the national Technology Strategy and Architecture for the NHS has been both humbling and energising. The scale of the challenge is immense, but so is the potential. Every decision we make about technology ultimately touches someone’s care, someone’s experience, someone’s life. That sense of purpose has guided me throughout my career. My focus has always been on creating a modern, interoperable, and resilient technology ecosystem - but equally on nurturing the people and the culture that make transformation possible.

I’ve always believed that digital change is fundamentally about people. The Digital Data and Technology (DDAT) workforce is the beating heart of our digital ambitions, and championing their development has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

I’ve tried to use my platform to advocate for diversity, equality, and inclusion, because I know from experience that when we bring different voices and lived experiences into the room, we make better decisions and build better systems.

My involvement with the Shuri Network, College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), British Computer Society (BCS), and Association of Professional Healthcare Analysts (APHA) has been a natural extension of that commitment. Mentoring emerging digital talent has also been a constant source of joy - seeing others grow, step into their strengths, and find their own leadership voice has been a gift.

How the Digital Health Leadership Programme (DHLP) shaped my path

One of the most formative experiences in my career was being part of the NHS Digital Academy’s Digital Health Leadership Programme (DHLP). I often describe it as a turning point - not because it changed my direction, but because it helped me understand it more clearly.

When I joined the programme, I was already deeply embedded in digital transformation work, but DHLP gave me the space to step back, reflect, and connect the dots. It strengthened my strategic thinking, broadened my perspective, and helped me articulate the kind of leader I aspired to be. It also gave me something equally valuable: a community.

DHLP gave me confidence, clarity, and connection. It helped me see the bigger picture - not just of the system, but of my own potential within it.

The relationships I built through the programme have stayed with me. Many of the peers I met there have become trusted collaborators, thought partners, and friends. We’ve supported each other through complex challenges, celebrated each other’s successes, and shared a commitment to shaping a better digital future for the NHS.

The programme also pushed me to think more boldly about system wide change. It helped me understand how to influence across organisational boundaries, how to navigate complexity with purpose, and how to lead with both head and heart. Those lessons have stayed with me in every role since.

As I look ahead and reflect on my next chapter, I’m often asked what guidance I would share with those starting or shaping their own leadership journeys. My advice is simple:
Believe in yourself. Find your tribe. And push for good with integrity and kindness.