Developing & Implementing a Local Communications Plan

Project Description
Clinical research and its importance are difficult concepts to convey to the general public. Any kind of communications activity therefore needs to be thoroughly planned and each type of audience carefully considered.

A communications campaign presents a really exciting opportunity to conduct a stakeholder engagement and awareness raising campaign.

A campaign project in the North West looked to increase engagements with stakeholders, raise awareness of research and also to further build up an extensive network of contacts for the North West region.

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  • Identify your audience
  • Conduct a thorough stakeholder analysis before any kind of campaign and work out how you will communicate with them
  • Make sure communications activity is aligned with that from the national team
  • Have a clear communications strategy and an idea of how you will evaluate a campaign before you start
  • Project Communications Strategy

    All research networks should have a communications strategy, ensuring the right messages are shared, at the right time, and involving people in the right way. This Communications strategy was specifically devised for this project.

  • NIHR Identity Guidelines Version 3

    NIHR identity guidelines should be used to ensure consistency of communications by the NIHR to support everyone working within the NIHR and issuing communications.

  • Research Promotion Poster

    Having a suite of generic leaflets and posters is valuable, however it’s important to provide some local flexibility to create posters for specific purposes. This poster was produced with input from patients, circulated widely to promote patient participation.

  • Research Planning and Measurement Toolkit

    This is the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) – Research, Planning and Measurement Toolkit. Includes case study examples and introductions on how to measure non-media communications campaigns.

  • Simple Communications Strategy Template

    Communications Strategy Template, created by the NHS Communications Forum, simple and easy to adapt and to support communications on any initiative.

  • Telephone Script and Referral Form

    To ensure staff were able to respond to telephone calls and patient queries, this form and script was devised to ensure appropriate management of enquiries. It is important to consider the implications of change, particularly if they have consequences e.g. call volumes.

Engaging the public