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Meet the Buccaneers: An interview with Dom Cushnan

The Artificial Intelligence Consultant talks NHS IT, virtual collaboration and take-away grub

Dom Cushnan spent almost ten years running his own information technology company before joining the NHS in 2014, in what he describes as a bid to improve patient care, public health issues and society in general. He now works as the AI Lead at NHS Horizons – a specialist team within NHS England’s Strategy and Innovation Directorate – as well as sitting as one of six health IT disruptors on Silver Buck’s recently appointed Silver Buccaneers Advisory board. 

Published by
Rory Bibb
PR and Marketing Executive, Silver Buck

What do you like most about your role?

I’m very privileged, and I don’t take my role for granted. I have the opportunity to be involved in lots of national change projects, and I thrive on the ability to join the dots between various programmes and where they can share and learn from each other.

How do you keep up to date on health IT news?

Digital Health, KingsFund, HIMSS, Reddit and lots of newsletters.

Other than increasing funding, what one thing would you do to improve NHS IT?

NHS IT needs to be able to translate its language to fit the way people deliver their roles. We risk alienating people when we speak in IT jargon.

What is the most important thing you have learned in your current role?

People, people, people. Everyone is on their own journey, and you have to meet them where they are to help them understand the bigger vision and, where possible, help them to design the transformation vision.

What are your top priorities over the next six months?

Convening collaboration across transformation projects – with a keen interest in digital and in particular the use of AI. I want virtual collaboration tools to be used to support improvement projects and stop boring meetings. “Collaboration in a virtual world.”

If you wake up in a bad mood, what song would you play to cheer you up?

Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

What is number one on your bucket list?

A six-piece Family Feast. Oh. That type of bucket list. In that case, I would love to pet a lion.

If you could be anybody for one day, who would you be and why?

Barack Obama: cool and calm under pressure.

If you could have any super-power, what would it be?

“I’m not saying I’m Batman. I’m just saying nobody has seen me and Batman in the same room” (Bill Murray, 2014).

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A Fighter Pilot.

If you were to host a fancy-dress party, what would be the theme?

Alice in Wonderland.

What is your favourite takeaway meal?

Kebab with salad and mint yoghurt sauce, please.

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