Healthcare communications and the next generation: meeting the challenges of our changing world

The first ever HCA Autumn Event, attended by almost 70 HCA members and held at The Wellcome Collection Conference Centre, London, on 9th September 2009, saw the launch of three new member resources including the ‘On the Spot' resource, ‘The HCA Good Practice Guide on Working with Patient Organisations' and an online forum for active debate and information sharing. 

One of the speakers at the event, Chris Brinsmead, ABPI President, commented: “The ABPI welcomes these new initiatives and has been very closely involved with the development of these resources. Not only are these tools highly relevant and practical for everyday communicators, but they will serve to enhance the reputation of the pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare communicators that are so integral to its success."

The ‘On the spot' resource, developed by the HCA, and in consultation with The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), addresses the pressing need for compelling messaging and a consistent position relating to a number of areas, including the role of healthcare communications, making information available to the general public, working with healthcare professionals and so-called ‘disease mongering', amongst others.

The ‘Good Practice Guide' online tool has been designed as a point of reference for HCA members to help them address the questions and practical issues that arise during everyday activities with patient organisations. The resource pulls together sections of relevant codes, whilst providing specific HCA recommendations on the implications of different patient organisation activities. It also provides links to relevant rulings by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA).

The HCA online forum will provide members with new, dynamic opportunities to share insights and best practice on some of the key burning issues facing healthcare communicators.     

Members can access an outline of Chris Brinsmead's speech and the answers to the voxpop questions by going to Communication/Events/Recent Events/Archived Events within the members-only section of this site.