Press release: NHS Confederation comment on advertising and marketing in the NHS

20 Nov 2006

Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents over 90 per cent of NHS organisations, said:

"In response to the introduction of patient choice, NHS providers will be considering how they can encourage the use of their services through marketing and advertising. The NHS needs to provide reliable information so that patients, and their health professionals, can make informed choices about where to receive treatment.

"Marketing is actually about understanding what the customer - in this case the patient -needs and wants. If we can better understand what patients want from the NHS, we can better deliver a service that meets those needs.

"We anticipate that most marketing will be to GPs and commissioners of health services, rather than direct to patients themselves. A MORI survey recently showed that not only do patients expect their GP to advise them about choice, but GPs themselves expect to offer advice. Therefore, it is vital that NHS providers work closely with local practices to ensure that GP are well informed of the services they can provide to patients.

"We understand the public's concern that money isn't wasted on advertising and marketing. One of the top priorities of NHS boards is to ensure good use of resources and they will want to make sure that any spending in this area is about improving the services they provide to patients.

"The NHS Confederation supports the work by the Department of Health to develop a self-regulating code for advertising and marketing by NHS providers. The choice agenda is a big change for the NHS and the public need to have confidence in the system of marketing and advertising."

ENDS

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland. 

Contact details

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