New Regional Outreach Champions
NHS Direct has appointed nine Regional Outreach Champions to be advocates for NHS Direct in the community. Their aim will be to increase awareness and usage of the service by giving talks to local groups, organising events and distributing promotional materials within their region.
The Outreach Champions will be responsible for maintaining current links and establishing new ones with key local stakeholder organisations such as LINKs, voluntary and community groups, local businesses, schools etc.
The nine Outreach Champions have been recruited internally from a variety of roles, including health advisors, health information advisors, nurse advisors and team leaders. Their front-line experience will enable them to talk knowledgably about the service and encourage people to use it. They will spend one day a week on their outreach work.
Last year, research conducted amongst our NHS stakeholders and partners showed that many thought we should promote NHS Direct’s 0845 4647 telephone service and website more heavily to the public. In response to this, we have not only appointed nine Regional Outreach Champions to increase awareness and usage of NHS Direct at a grassroots level, but are also planning to work with a number of PCTs across the country on segmented marketing campaigns aimed at those patient groups where we can make the most difference.
