Communications and engagement
Communications and engagement professionals help NHS organisations engage with patients, their local communities, staff and other interested groups including the media.
Who will I work with?
Depending on the size of the organisation, communications and engagement staff may work alone or as part of a team. NHS organisations have a duty to consult and engage people in the development of their services. In a large organisation, there may be a communications and engagement department, with a manager. In some organisations, communications and engagement staff may have other related roles, such as patient and public involvement or corporate affairs.
Working in healthcare communications and engagement could include:
internal communications – making sure colleagues are consulted and engaged with what is happening in the organisation
external communications – with local and national media, politicians and the public.
You'll use many different types of communication channels, including:
print such as newsletters, leaflets and posters
digital, such as websites, social media, intranets and videos
the media including TV and radio, press releases and setting up interviews
events such as conferences, meetings, exhibitions and speeches
ad campaigns in newspapers, radio, social media and in the community, such as on public transport.
The role
Your role in communications and engagement will include:
managing the reputation of the organisation
media handling, such as placing good news stories, handling bad publicity and dealing with media enquiries
updating the website, intranet and social media
briefing other health organisations about developments, plans and incidents
producing information for patients
writing speeches for senior managers
managing the NHS corporate identity and taking local responsibility for the NHS brand
including patients and local communities in changes to health services
advising senior colleagues on strategic communications
health promotion campaigns
developing, implementing, and evaluating communications strategies
developing relationships with organisations, the media and partners.
Jobs may have different titles. Some reflect the seniority of the post, for example:
communications and engagement assistant
communications and engagement officer
communications and marketing officer
communications lead or specialist
communications manager
deputy head of communications
head of communications and engagement