Public Relations
Public Relations or Communications is about how the organisation interacts with the community it serves and communicates with patients, staff and other interested groups such as the media. All communicators have a role in making information about their organisation accessible to patients, staff and the public, helping ensure that the service is accountable, and engaging these groups in the reforms that are taking place in the NHS.
Public Relations (or Communications) includes a range of jobs from assistant to senior management level in PR and press liaison; and patient advice and liaison including consumer services, and complaints.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements will vary from organisation to organisation and depending upon the post. Often staff have a background in journalism although this is not required.
There are a range of qualifications available in communications and public relations ranging from degrees and masters in, or including, public relations or communications to diplomas. Some more senior job advertisements may specify the need for a professional qualification such as those awarded by the Communications Advertising & Marketing Education Foundation Ltd (CAM), the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) or the Association of Healthcare Communicators (AHC).
For further information:
Association of Healthcare Communicators (AHC)
AHC
PO Box 4277
Dunstable
LU6 2WU
Tel: 01525 222155
Email:
Web:
www.assochealth.org.uk
Communications Advertising & Marketing Education Foundation Ltd (CAM)
Moor Hall
Cookham
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 9QH
Tel: 01628 427181
Fax: 01628 427399
Website:
www.camfoundation.com
Institute of Public Relations (IPR)
The Old Trading House
15 Northburgh Street
London
EC1V 0PR
Tel: 0207 253 5151
Website:
www.ipr.org.uk
Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA)
Willow House
Willow Place
London
SW1 1JH
Tel: 020 7233 6026
Fax: 020 7828 4797
Web:
www.prca.org.uk
For more details see the
NHS Careers Website
.