Directors' Guide: Better Communications for NHS Trusts'

Abstract

Communication, like quality or professionalism, is one of those words that is constantly bandied around without ever being properly considered; they are universally considered to be a ‘good thing’, the motherhood and apple pie concepts of modern management. By the same token any publication that is designed to help managers, especially managers of NHS Trusts to improve their communication skills must also be considered to be a good idea and of benefit to managers. Whether this slim guide, however, is the best way to achieve better communications for NHS Trusts is debatable. The stated aim of the publication is to provide a ‘short but comprehensive overview of modern communications principles and practice and to show how these can be applied to NHS Trust management’. It would be more accurate to say that this is a short guide to the different terms used to describe communications. This booklet does not provide any real practical guidance on how to apply these techniques in the NHS, or perhaps more importantly, any strategic direction for Trusts which want to improve their communications.

Citation

Hogg, G., Moloney, K., Miller, D. and Mallinson, W.D.E. (1997), "Directors' Guide: Better Communications for NHS Trusts'", Journal of Communication Management, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 191-197. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb023461