Daniel Reynolds, director of communications and membership operations at the NHS Confederation, said:
“We believe that effective communications and engagement play a crucial role in supporting integrated care systems, and the partners that make them up, to achieve stronger relationships, more open and transparent ways of working, greater trust, more engaged staff and, ultimately, better outcomes for the public.
“As with other areas of health and care, the pandemic has helped to remove divides between communicators working in different organisations. Our forum will support communications professionals across the health and care system to work in new, innovative and integrated ways. There is much good practice to build on and we look forward to sharing learning and connecting ICS communications and engagement leaders as we move towards local systems becoming statutory bodies.”
The forum will provide opportunities for ICS communicators to hear from experts in other industries and sectors and provide a formal route through which ICS communicators can develop thought leadership on the future of the communications profession. The forum will also help ensure they are updated on national policy and political developments.