
There is general optimism that the digital future will be one of improved health outcomes, increased efficiency, a more sustainable system and ultimately reduced health-care expenditure. Evidence for these system improvements is currently lacking. Part of the problem is that the uptake of DHTs in the NHS and British social care has been relatively slow and uneven. Against this background, an important focus of CHT has been to address implementation barriers to digital acceleration. For example, the aim of the multi-million eHealth Productivity and Innovation in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly project (EPIC ) was to both increase demand for, and supply of innovative eHealth & social care products and services. Part of this has involved close work with citizens, who require trust and reassurance about using DHTs; and health and care staff who, due to concerns about increased workload, the ethics of data sharing, the evidence base of new products, may demonstrate cultural resistance to change. Our growing pedagogic offer is contributing to the aim of ‘winning hearts and minds’. Developers too need focus support to understand the complex and confusing NHS market and identify who the right stakeholders are, how to get innovations piloted and approved and who pays for what.