Turning digital ambition into measurable outcomes: Five minutes with Hatim Abdulhussein, chief executive officer, Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex

In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the civil service and public sector leaders who will speak at our Innovation 2026 conference. Taking place in London on 24 and 25 March, attendees will hear leaders from around the world speak on a range of topics related to driving the transformation of public sector organisations.

Alongside the central government agenda, this year’s conference will bring together leaders from across the NHS and wider public sector to discuss how to achieve the UK government’s 10 Year Health Plan.

In this interview, Dr Hatim Abdulhussein, chief executive officer, Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex – who will speak at Innovation in the session ‘Maximising the value from digital health investments’ – tells GGF about designing services with, not for, clinicians and patients, and sustaining momentum in complex system-wide transformations.

What are you most looking forward to learning and sharing at this year’s Innovation?

I’m most looking forward to hearing practical, frontline examples of how innovation is being embedded at scale, not just piloted across the public sector. I’m also keen to share what we’ve learned about turning digital ambition into measurable outcomes by focusing on user needs, interoperability, and change management alongside technology.

Delivering an NHS fit for the future is a core government priority, with digital transformation playing a central role. Where do you see the greatest opportunities for impact over the next five years?

The greatest opportunities lie in better use of data across organisational boundaries, more personalised and preventative care, and automating routine processes to free up clinical time. If we get interoperability, analytics, and workforce adoption right, digital can significantly improve both outcomes and experience for patients and staff.

What are the most critical actions needed now – nationally and locally – to turn digital ambition into reality across health and social care?

Nationally, we need clearer standards, sustained investment, and alignment around shared platforms and data. Locally, the focus must be on delivery capability: strong leadership, digital skills, and meaningful engagement with clinicians and citizens so solutions are designed with, not for, the people who use them.

Can you give any examples of how you are using digital and data tools in your organisation and the benefits this is delivering?

We are using digital and data tools to improve decision-making, streamline workflows, and increase transparency across areas in the business. We are also investing in the use of artificial intelligence tools to augment our activity. This is helping teams spend less time on manual tasks, make better use of available data, and focus more on delivering value and improving outcomes.

What are your priorities for the year ahead? And what insights would you like from colleagues and peers to help you achieve them?

My priorities are scaling what works, strengthening data foundations, and ensuring digital change delivers real-world benefits. I’m particularly keen to learn from peers about successful approaches to adoption, benefits realisation, and sustaining momentum in complex system-wide transformations.

Click here to find out more and register for Innovation 2026. And click here to view the dedicated health agenda.