A CNIO acts as the link between clinical teams and digital services, making sure that technology is designed and used in ways that genuinely support medical professionals and improves care for patients.
At DBTH, Laura will work alongside colleagues across the Trust to ensure the voices of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals are central in shaping digital improvements.
Laura began her career in the NHS in 2011 as an Operating Department Practitioner, working across cardiac, thoracic, paediatric and general surgery at Nottingham University Hospitals and Oxford University Hospitals. She later moved into leadership roles including Theatre Team Leader for Cardiac and Paediatric Surgery and Specialty General Manager for Endoscopy and Bowel Cancer Screening.
Most recently, she has been Head of Operational Change in the Digital Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Programme at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. Alongside her career, Laura has completed an Master’s Degree in Business Administration and gained senior leadership qualifications with the Chartered Management Institute.
Speaking about her appointment, Laura said: “I am delighted to join Team DBTH. As CNIO, my aim is to ensure technology genuinely supports colleagues and patients, improves workflows, and enhances safety and quality.
“I want to amplify the voice of nurses, midwives, and AHPs in digital development and help shape a digitally enabled environment where colleagues thrive and patients receive the very best outcomes.”
As part of her role, Laura will contribute to the implementation of the Trust’s new Electronic Patient Record (EPR).
This major project will replace paper notes and multiple computer systems with a single, secure record for each patient. It will allow colleagues to see the right information at the right time, improving safety, reducing duplication, and making care more joined-up. For patients, this will mean fewer repeated questions, quicker results, and a smoother overall experience.
Welcoming Laura, Karen Jessop, Chief Nurse, and Dan Howard, Chief Information Officer, said: “We are pleased to welcome Laura as our new Chief Nursing Information Officer. This role will be key to ensuring that the clinical voice is at the heart of our digital journey. One of our strategic ambitions as an organisation is to become more digitally enabled and mature, and the EPR programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way we deliver care.
“Laura brings with her a wealth of experience across operational leadership, digital transformation and frontline practice, and we look forward to working with her as part of our digital team to deliver the benefits of innovation for our patients and communities.”