Mid Staffordshire NHS FT
Crisis Management
After reporting on Mid Staffordshire NHS FT for over a year as a journalist, Sam was recruited to work in the Trust’s press office during a particularly troubling time. His inside knowledge of the issues faced by the Trust and expertise in media relations ensured he was ideally suited to tackle the difficult crisis management situation.
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Sam’s primary role was fielding and writing responses to media enquiries, which came in from every national newspaper and TV news broadcaster, alongside regional press. This included phone calls with investigative journalists, chaperoning members of the press around the site, arranging interviews with senior members of staff, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and providing media training and interview preparation, writing press statements and more.
Alongside crisis management support, Sam was tasked with promoting the good work taking place at the hospital locally, to improve perceptions and reassure the region’s residents. This included press releases about new Board members brought in to provide additional scrutiny over the way the Trust was operated, the introduction of new processes to improve patient waiting times, through to charity fundraisers organised by the staff.
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Additionally, Sam produced all articles for the Trust’s internal magazine, Forward Together, alongside taking photographs, managing the design process, proofing and distribution to readers.