Resources and insights
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
Optara Consulting Acquisition
We’re delighted to announce that SmartCo Future Health has acquired Optara Consulting, a specialist healthcare technology consultancy known for its deep sector expertise and outstanding client partnerships. This strategic move strengthens SmartCo Future Health’s position as a leader in delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions for the healthcare sector. It also reinforces our commitment to attracting top talent and scaling our capabilities to better serve our clients. As part of this exciting development, Optara’s Founder and Managing Director, Mark Bishop, will be joining SmartCo’s executive leadership team as Director of Technology Services. Mark brings with him a wealth of experience, a proven track record of delivery, and a highly regarded team that shares our mission to transform healthcare through innovation. Having worked closely with Optara in recent months, it quickly became clear that Mark and his team’s reputation for excellence is well deserved. Their technical depth, integrity and client-first mindset align perfectly with SmartCo’s values. This acquisition is a major step forward for us as we continue to expand our impact across the healthcare ecosystem. Rhys Hefford, Chair, SmartCo Future Health I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Optara. It’s been an amazing journey. That said, the opportunity to join forces with SmartCo Future Health was one I couldn’t pass up. Together, we have the scale, expertise and vision to drive meaningful change in the healthcare sector. I’m excited for what’s ahead. Mark Bishop, Founder, Optara Please join us in welcoming Mark and the Optara team to SmartCo Future Health.
Hannah Granshaw
12 September 2025
Awarded ISMS Certification
We’re proud to share that we have been officially certified to the ISO 27001:2022 Information Security Management Standard, the leading international benchmark for managing information security. ISO 27001 demonstrates that we have robust processes, policies and controls in place to safeguard sensitive data, and that we are committed to maintaining these high standards. This achievement builds on our recent Cyber Essentials PLUS, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 certifications, reflecting the continued growth and maturity of our business. “This certification marks a significant milestone for SmartCo Future Health. It reinforces our commitment to world-class information security and gives our clients confidence that their data is in safe hands. It’s also a clear signal that we’re ready for more complex, consultative projects and public sector opportunities.” Taja Quigley, Partner We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this achievement. This is a big step forward for our team and our clients.
Hannah Granshaw
2 September 2025
Welcome to Adam Libbey
We’re excited to welcome Adam Libbey to the SmartCo Future Health leadership team as our new Director of Operations and Client Services. We recently sat down with Adam to hear about his career journey and what drew him to SmartCo. Read on to learn more about his story and the experience he brings to the team. Hi Adam. What’s your new role, and what will you be focusing on? I’ve joined SmartCo Future Health as the Director of Operations and Client Services, where I’ll be focusing on strengthening operations and supporting our customers to deliver meaningful impact in healthcare. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? I began my career as an Army Officer, serving for six years. Since then, my roles have largely focused on people and operations across both small and large consultancies, with a period in sales as well. Most recently, I was Head of Operations for Technology at KPMG. What inspires you most about this new chapter in your career? It’s an exciting opportunity to join a fantastic business with great people, all working toward shaping and improving healthcare. That mission really inspires me. What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on? I’ve had the privilege of working on many impactful projects, ranging from large IT transformations to new HR processes, as well as military missions. The common thread I’ve always enjoyed is the people element and the lasting impact. That said, raising my two young boys has been the most challenging and rewarding project of all. What attracted you to SmartCo Future Health? Many things, but above all, the people and the values stood out. What’s one new thing you’d love to learn or try out soon? Joining SmartCo Future Health, I’m eager to deepen my understanding of the healthcare landscape. On a personal level, since hanging up my rugby boots and accepting my status as an “armchair” sports fan, I’m looking for a new hobby to stay active. I’d also love to properly learn a new language. What’s something you’ve enjoyed recently? At work, I’ve found AI tools like Co-pilot to be a real time-saver, and LinkedIn Learning has been excellent for quick, bitesize learning. Outside of work, I’ve loved making the most of summer – sports, BBQs and time with friends outdoors. For TV, I’d recommend Clarkson’s Farm and Adolescence.
Hannah Granshaw
1 September 2025
The NHS App. More than just an App?
I recently read “The NHS at a Crossroads: The App That Can Transform Britain’s Health” by Charlotte Refsum, Adam Bradshaw and Dan Hall (Tony Blair Institute), and it genuinely got me thinking. For a long time, I viewed the NHS App as useful, but limited; a functional tool for booking GP appointments, viewing health records, or ordering repeat prescriptions. Handy, yes. But not exactly transformative. However, things have shifted, especially through the pilot work SmartCo Future Health has been delivering with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the NHS England Federated Data Platform (FDP) team. As part of this collaboration, we’ve supported the introduction of new functionality within the NHS App, creating architecture and integration frameworks that allow for scalability in this fast-moving world. This work is beginning to show how the app can evolve from a passive administrative tool into an active health engagement platform capable of driving real system change. This report reframes the NHS App as something much bigger: not just a tool, but a potential cornerstone of a modern, sustainable NHS. I found that idea genuinely exciting. One of the points I really connected with was the comparison between the NHS App and Amazon. Saying “it’s just an app” completely misses the infrastructure, systems and potential that sit behind it. It reminded me that digital transformation isn’t about the interface, it’s about what’s possible behind the scenes. That said, I also appreciated the warning about the productivity paradox. It’s a very real risk that new tech just digitises old inefficiencies, rather than rethinking them entirely. I’ve seen this happen in other sectors, where tech is layered onto clunky processes rather than used to reinvent them. The NHS could easily fall into that same trap if the app is used to replicate existing systems rather than rethink how care is delivered. The section on prevention particularly resonated with me. I think this is where the app could be genuinely transformative. Giving people personalised risk scores, proactive health checks and nudges for screening or vaccinations feels like a real shift from reactive to preventive care. It’s something I’d love to see prioritised more. I also liked the point about the app needing to be person-centric, not just NHS-centric. The reality is that many of us are already navigating care from both public and private providers. For the app to be genuinely useful, it has to reflect how people actually use health services, not just how the NHS is structured. Another strong takeaway for me was around design. The app will only succeed if it’s intuitive and easy to use. I’ve always believed that if something feels clunky or overly complicated, people simply won’t engage with it, especially when it comes to their health. The report also raised some important flags. Developing the app separately from the Single Patient Record, for example, feels like a huge, missed opportunity. Why build systems that rely on each other in isolation? Integration here seems like common sense, and I’d really like to see more joined-up thinking in this space. And finally, the timeline around wearables. The idea of waiting until 2035 to fully integrate them feels unnecessarily cautious. We already use wearables daily; I use an apple watch and would certainly integrate the everyday data to a tool that can be fed back to professionals or services if needed. Why not move faster to connect them to the system and use that data in smarter, more meaningful ways? Overall, I came away from the report feeling more optimistic than I expected. I think the NHS App could be a game-changer, but only if we’re brave enough to move beyond simply digitising what already exists. This is a moment to think bigger, act faster and build something that truly meets the needs of today’s (and tomorrow’s) patients. About Henry Henry is a qualified APM PMQ Project Manager with over 4 years’ experience in healthcare project management. Recently being involved in Client Engagement and engaging with digital health leaders on their digital programmes. Henry is involved with all aspects of client accounts and projects from initiation to delivery, ensuring successful project outcomes. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Henry Darch
7 August 2025
Awarded place on Major Government Framework
We’re proud to announce that we have been awarded a place on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Management Consultancy Framework Four (MCF4), under Lot 1 (Business Consultancy Services) and Lot 8 (Infrastructure). This is a significant milestone for us and a powerful endorsement of the quality, expertise and dedication of our team. MCF4 is one of the UK Government’s flagship consultancy frameworks, with a projected lifetime value of £2.8 billion. It’s widely used across central government, local authorities, NHS Trusts and other public sector organisations. What this means: Lot 1: Enables us to provide strategic, structural and operational consultancy services, from organisational design and transformation, to implementation and delivery. Lot 8: Positions us to support major infrastructure, estates and capital projects, expanding our role in shaping vital public services. Securing a place on MCF4 required rigorous evidence of high-value and complex consultancy work, along with outstanding performance against quality, technical and social value criteria. “This is a huge achievement and a clear reflection of the trust our clients place in us and the results we deliver. It’s also a brilliant platform to deepen our impact in the public sector and grow our partnerships across the UK.” Taja Quigley, Partner Thank you to the team, whose expertise and commitment were instrumental in navigating the highly competitive bid process. This award marks a major step forward for SmartCo Future Health, opening up new opportunities to support the public sector with innovative, high-impact consultancy.
Hannah Granshaw
6 August 2025
Reflections on the 10 Year Health Plan
It’s early days, but after four weeks of digesting the 10 Year Health Plan, one thing is clear: while it’s not yet a fully formed plan, it is one of the most visionary documents NHS England has produced in years. It’s sparking serious, necessary conversations, and that alone is a sign of progress. At SmartCo Future Health, we’ve leaned into this dialogue with a series of whole-company brown bag sessions, unpacking the detail and reflecting on what it means for us, not just as consumers of healthcare, but as partners to those who deliver it. The plan is refreshingly honest. It acknowledges that despite previous initiatives like the Workforce Plan and Cloud Plus (published in 2013), expectations haven’t been met. What’s different now is the ambition to pull everything together, even social care, which, while still underrepresented, is finally part of the conversation. The direction is promising. We’re particularly encouraged by the emphasis on optimisation. There’s immense potential in the technology already in place, if we adopt it wisely. The temptation to chase shiny, single-solution technologies is strong, but we need to think bigger. Let’s look at the technical infrastructure holistically. Let’s leverage the tools we already have to solve multiple problems, not just isolated ones. Consider this: the average NHS Trust operates around 250 systems, and at least 6% of those are labelled as EPRs. But what does “EPR” really mean in practice? I know of two hospitals with more than 15 separate systems all referred to as EPRs. That’s not integration – that’s fragmentation. We need to listen to users. Understand how well the technology supports the reimagined models of care we aspire to deliver. Optimisation isn’t just about systems, it’s about capabilities, training and user experience. When staff feel supported and empowered to use technology effectively, they see the benefits, not just in their workflows, but in the quality of care they provide. Only once we’ve truly optimised the existing tech landscape can we build the kind of innovation that will reimagine care delivery. That’s the real opportunity. One of our recent brown bag sessions led me to pick up Hacking Humanity by Lara Lewington, a thought-provoking read that’s helping me explore the intersection of technology, empathy and the future of human-centred care. In Chapter 15, Lara tackles a question that should be at the heart of every health strategy: how do we ensure “everyone, everywhere” benefits from prevention as much as treatment? It’s a call to rebalance our investments, to prioritise prevention with the same urgency we give to treatment. And it’s only possible if we get the systems and data interoperability right. When we connect the dots across platforms, providers and pathways, we unlock the insights needed to help our health spans better match our lifespans. That’s the kind of transformation worth striving for. About Jill With over 30 years of leadership experience across the NHS and private sector, Jill brings deep expertise in digital transformation, complex programme delivery and people-first change. She’s passionate about using technology as an enabler to drive better health outcomes and operational efficiency. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Jill de Bene
5 August 2025
Welcome to Suzi Parish
A warm welcome to Suzi Parish who joins the SmartCo Future Health team as our new Principal Consultant We sat down with Suzi to hear about her career journey, her new role and her first impressions of SmartCo Future Health. Read on to learn more about her background, passions and the experience she brings to the team. Hi Suzi. What’s your new role, and what will you be focusing on? I’m joining the team as a Principal Consultant. I’ll be focusing on supporting Trusts through their digital transformations and ensuring they get the most out of their systems. What has your career looked like leading up to SmartCo? My background is clinical – I trained and worked as a nurse. About 15 years ago, I became involved with digital systems. I was genuinely concerned about how these systems would impact clinical staff, especially if they weren’t included in their design. That sparked my journey into digital health. What attracted you to SmartCo’s mission and team? It’s the collaborative expertise – bringing together a wealth of knowledge to help Trusts optimise their systems and navigate smooth transitions to new systems. That focus on practical, informed support really resonated with me. What areas of healthcare innovation are you most passionate about? That’s a tough one – ultimately, we’re all aiming to improve patient care. But I’ve always been passionate about how innovation impacts staff. With increasing pressures and rising documentation demands, I’m focused on making their lives easier. Communicating local, tangible benefits to frontline teams is what I care most about. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in digital health? It’s an amazing field that offers insight into how healthcare really works behind the scenes. You don’t need to be a technical expert – if you can communicate clearly, understand different perspectives, and explain things well, you’ll thrive. How do you recharge outside of work? I’m a huge sports fan – F1, Tour de France, Le Mans, TT. If I’m not watching something, I’ve usually got my head in a book or I’m at the theatre. I’m a big fan of musicals! What’s a place on your travel bucket list and why? Honestly, I’m a homebird at heart. I love holidays, but it’s less about the destination and more about being with my family and having fun together.
Hannah Granshaw
8 July 2025
Welcome to Ry Nasser
We’re excited to welcome Ry Nasser to the SmartCo Future Health team as our new Senior Consultant. We recently caught up with Ry to learn more about his career journey, his new role and what how he sees his role contributing to the future of health. Read on to discover his story and the valuable experience he brings to the team. Hi Ry. What’s your new role, and what will you be focusing on? My new role is as a Senior Consultant with the SmartCo Future Health Delivery Team. I’ll be focusing on managing client projects from end to end, ensuring they are delivered successfully, safely and to a high standard. This includes overseeing project planning, stakeholder coordination and risk management, making sure each project aligns with client expectations. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? I’ve worked in the NHS since I was 17, gaining experience across a wide range of roles and departments, from an A&E receptionist to Bed Management and eventually as a Clinical Systems Coordinator. Over time, I developed a strong interest in digital transformation, which led me to specialise in project management. For the past 6 years, I’ve worked as a Project Manager, focusing on digital implementations. During that time, I’ve successfully led several major go-lives, helping to deliver impactful change across healthcare services. How do you see your role contributing to the future of health? I’ve been working in health for 16 years, and coming from a family of nurses, the importance of healthcare has always been deeply embedded in me. It’s more than just a career, it’s something I genuinely care about. In my role, I aim to continue the work I’ve been doing: helping to deliver meaningful change that makes a real difference to patients, their families and the healthcare professionals who do incredible work every single day. Whether it’s through improving systems, supporting safer care or enabling more efficient services, I see my role as part of the bigger picture in shaping a better, more responsive future for health. What aspects of SmartCo’s culture or team dynamics appealed to you most? What appealed to me most about SmartCo’s culture was the genuine passion the team has for the work they do. I had a number of conversations with different team members before joining, and it was clear that there’s a strong focus on learning, innovation and collaboration. That really aligns with my own values and approach to work. From those conversations alone, it felt like the kind of environment where people are truly invested in making a difference, and one that I can’t wait to be a part of. If you could learn a new skill or hobby this year, what would it be? My football career and ability is now in a downward spiral, so I’ve recently started playing Padel. This year the aim is to polish up on my serve and backhand. If you had a superpower, what would it be? Good question, I’d probably say teleportation – practical, efficient and perfect for avoiding traffic and queues. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? I’d say Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. I’ve always wanted to visit there!
Hannah Granshaw
1 July 2025
Smart Future for Digital Health
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in two major organisations that applied Lean methodology to enhance efficiency and eliminate waste. As a certified Six Sigma professional, I often reflect on how valuable that knowledge would have been earlier – especially during my time as a manager in an acute trust, where structured process improvement could have greatly enhanced operational workflows. Understanding Lean Six Sigma Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a powerful methodology that combines the efficiency focus of Lean with the precision of Six Sigma. Together, they offer a proven framework for streamlining processes and improving quality: • Lean focuses on maximising customer value by eliminating non-essential activities. • Six Sigma focuses on reducing variation and defects through data-driven strategies, leading to greater consistency and accuracy. The Role of Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare Despite its origins in manufacturing, LSS holds immense potential in healthcare. Yet, its adoption within the NHS remains inconsistent – often due to scepticism about applying industrial techniques to clinical settings. Nonetheless, structured process improvement is vital. During my time on the National Programme two decades ago, we introduced process mapping in multiple Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementations. These “as-is” and “to-be” mapping frameworks remain invaluable today, but we must evolve beyond them to achieve measurable gains in efficiency and care delivery. Smart Co’s Approach to Advancing Lean Six Sigma At Smart Co Future Health, we take Lean Six Sigma a step further by integrating observation techniques and value-add analytics throughout our programme development. By refining the vision and maximising benefits, we ensure IT solutions drive lasting operational improvements rather than simply digitising existing inefficiencies. A critical factor in successful change management is employee ownership. Engaging staff in the readiness phase fosters a culture of innovation, leading to sustained efficiency gains and better patient outcomes. The Smart Co approach doesn’t just introduce new processes – it transforms mindsets, using actionable data and insights to drive continuous improvement beyond initial technology implementation. The Evidence Behind Strategic Digital Transformation Data confirms the impact of effective digital adoption. Among acute providers who launched EHRs, those in the top decile of digital maturity in 2017 saw a 13.4% reduction in per spell costs for admitted patients by FY 2019/20 compared to their peers. When executed strategically, digital transformation can: • Reduce the burden on healthcare staff • Empower patients with access to information and services • Guarantee seamless, secure health data accessibility • Improve clinical safety and patient care • Elevate overall productivity across healthcare systems Readiness and Optimisation: The Keys to Success Too often, organisations focus heavily on delivery and go-live, but true transformation lies in readiness and optimisation. Engaging employees in the readiness phase inspires organisations to achieve envisioned change, fostering continuous improvement and further enhancing efficiency. The journey to a streamlined, high-performing healthcare system is more than an IT deployment – it requires strategic engagement, proactive leadership and a commitment to long-term success. About Jill With over 30 years of leadership experience across the NHS and private sector, Jill brings deep expertise in digital transformation, complex programme delivery and people-first change. She’s passionate about using technology as an enabler to drive better health outcomes and operational efficiency. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Jill de Bene
25 June 2025