How should you communicate with patients?
In general, it is best to communicate with patients in four ways across a range of platforms to obtain the widest patient reach.
Broadcasting messages – suitable for the whole population.
- website
- social media
Targeted messages; to groups of specific cohorts of patients e.g. Vaccine campaigns.
- SMS, text, and NHS App messaging
Specialise messages; resourced tailored to specific cohorts who have additional communications requirements.
- offline resources and websites
Personalised messages; direct patient care.
- containing resources specific to that patient’s condition or requesting the patient to do something online
These channels are available to most GP practices or Primary Care Networks, and they are generally a cost-effective way to get communications out to large populations. Try discussing with your ICB or Federation about at scale creation of content, then share locally.