communications

Exploring the importance of internal comms

cb922f501e5ef4fb7efc681e2addeeb0Internal comms can often feel like the poor relation to PR in the public sector, but with the current workforce challenges facing the NHS it’s becoming more important than ever before.

The always excellent NHS provider comms network focused on internal communications this time around and it’s clear that this is something at the top of the agenda for colleagues right across the country. Continue reading →

Floods, death and fires you can see from space

Last year the vagaries of the British transport system provided a real time crisis management case study on the way to the Comms2point0 masterclass, but this time it was a transport company who offered one of the highlights of the day with their ode to the North. Continue reading →

The importance of planning & other lessons from AHCM

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In the week that we heard the current task facing the NHS was rated as mission impossible by a new report, it was reassuring to see the positive impact that good communications can have during increasingly challenging times.

In the same NHS Providers report they also argue that what the heath service needs now is greater realism, flexibility and support – luckily the AHCM conference provided a large dose of all three. Continue reading →

A Brexit for all seasons

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Phew. What a week. By now you’re probably thinking “what I really need is some more Brexit analysis”

As Terry from the Likely Lads famously said “I’d offer you a beer but I’ve only got six”. I’m sure, like me, you’ve had it up to the eyes with claim and counterclaim but in such momentous times I thought it would be remiss not to remark on some of the communications issues reflected in the campaign.

Don’t worry this isn’t another political polemic and will focus on the comms – that’s assuming we still need comms in an apocalyptic wasteland where the populace eats from bins and competes in organised cage fights for fuel. Continue reading →

Devolution, taxis and brown ale

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It’s the same the world over. If you want to understand the mood of a city just ask a taxi driver.

Well, the organisers of our devolution update did just that and found their Newcastle cabbie knew all about it, but he sagely warned that “in ten years time it will all go back round again and powers will re-centralised”.

The idea of a cosmic wheel that just keeps spinning round certainly isn’t the communications challenge I was expecting but actually it does have some basis in reality. Continue reading →

10 unthoughts from a comms unconference

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Last week I got the opportunity to take part in a PR masterclass in Leeds but also, thanks to the vagaries of the British Transport system, re-enact one of my favourite childhood films, Plaines, Trains and automobiles.

The delays, false starts, and cancellations meant I got to revive the prematurely greying and urbane but impatient Neil Page as I struggled back on the seemingly impossible journey from Yorkshire to Newcastle. Turns out it was a part I was born to play. Continue reading →

Cover bands don’t save the world and 7 other lessons from Birmingham

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It was an epic journey to get to AHCM and by the end I was more like Homer Simpson than Homer’s odyssey, but traveling around the uk by rail certainly takes on the feel of a quest in Greek mythology.

However it was well worth the trip from Newcastle, as healthcare communicators from across the UK came together to hear the latest trends from across the NHS.

Here’s my take on some of the key lessons from the day:

#1 Some leadership insight from an inner city GP
“Cover bands can’t change the world, but there’s nothing new invented under the sun,” said Dr Nick Harding. It’s that unique blend of vision, delivery and understanding the reality on the ground that will determine the success or failure of our work. Continue reading →