As NHS digital programmes evolve, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where specialist skills are in high demand. From Electronic Patient Records (EPR) to Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Business Intelligence (BI), having the right expertise in place is increasingly critical to delivering smooth, effective projects.
EPR - From Go-Live to Optimisation
With EPR systems moving from implementation to optimisation, professionals who combine technical know-how with clinical insight are essential.
Key skills include:
- System configuration, data migration and user adoption expertise.
- Experience across multiple platforms (Cerner, Epic, SystmOne, Nervecentre) to support interoperability.
- Business analysts and integration specialists who can bridge clinical and technical teams.
Strong EPR teams help maintain data quality, minimise downtime and support safer patient pathways, ensuring upgrades and enhancements deliver real value.
LIMS - Efficiency and Integration
Modernising laboratory systems is now as much about optimisation as implementation.
In demand:
- Technical leads able to configure workflows and integrate instruments.
- Data analysts ensuring lab outputs feed accurately into patient records and performance dashboards.
- Project managers experienced in navigating clinical and technical priorities.
The right LIMS skills reduce turnaround times and enhance reporting accuracy, supporting both operational efficiency and patient care.
PACS - Connecting Imaging Across Systems
Imaging remains central to diagnostics, with seamless integration a priority.
Skills in focus:
- PACS administrators with expertise in DICOM standards and vendor-neutral archives.
- Engineers experienced in migration and hybrid on-premise/cloud solutions.
- Integration specialists linking imaging workflows with other clinical systems.
Effective PACS integration reduces duplication, enables remote reporting and strengthens decision-making across departments.
BI – Turning Data into Insight
Data continues to drive smarter decisions across clinical and operational areas.
Top capabilities:
- BI developers and architects creating dashboards that highlight trends and outcomes.
- Data engineers ensuring secure, clean and accessible information.
- Analysts translating complex data into actionable insights.
Stronger BI means better decision-making, whether that’s reducing length of stay, improving theatre utilisation or identifying variation in care.
Hybrid Skillsets – The Growing Need
Across all digital domains, professionals who combine technical expertise with communication and collaboration skills are in high demand.
The difference they make:
- Bridging technical teams and clinical users.
- Managing integration challenges across multiple systems.
- Supporting end-to-end delivery and embedding change effectively.
These trends reflect what we’re seeing day-to-day across NHS digital programmes, as Trusts adapt their teams to meet evolving clinical and operational demands. If you'd like to discuss any of this in more detail, please don't hesitate to reach out.
