The HSE continues to face ongoing challenges in protecting patient information. The latest incident in June 2024 was the result of an internal IT glitch that compromised the vaccination details of over one million people. In part 2 of Transform Gov’s interview with Maria McCann, former Director of Data and Informatics at the HSE we discuss, amongst other topics, the ongoing data security issues faced by the HSE, Maria underscores the inevitability of cyber threats and the critical role of the CISO.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

- Crisis Management: Maria's resilience was tested through the COVID crisis and the Ukrainian refugee crisis, where she played a pivotal role in managing the response efforts. Tune in to hear how she used "energy buckets" to build team resilience.

- Data Security Challenges: Discussing the ongoing data security issues faced by the HSE, Maria underscores the inevitability of cyber threats and the critical role of the CISO.

- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: The Ukrainian refugee crisis required seamless collaboration across multiple departments and organisations, including EY and Microsoft. Discover the complexities of aligning diverse teams to support refugees, such as ensuring access to cancer treatment centres.

- Managing Expectations: With a large stakeholder group, prioritizing needs and managing expectations were crucial. Maria highlights the importance of plain English communication and open conversations to align everyone's efforts.

- AI in Healthcare: Maria emphasizes that AI must be driven by clinicians to support healthcare effectively. She shares her involvement with Spunout, a charity using AI to support young people's mental health. She also tell us about the innovative Fastrack to IT apprenticeship program.

💡 Key Takeaways:

- The human element is the hardest and most important part of major projects, requiring honest communication and alignment.

- Data quality and governance are foundational for successful AI initiatives.

- The importance of practical education pathways, like tech apprenticeships, to bridge skills gaps and support lifelong learning.

Join us as Maria McCann shares her invaluable experiences and insights into the world of digital transformation in government. 🌐📊

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