Leading the way with social media in healthcare

We’re pleased to announce that our Communications team at Berkshire Healthcare has been shortlisted for three awards that recognise our creative approach to digital engagement and our commitment to finding new and innovative ways of making a positive difference to the communities we serve.

The first nomination is for the Health Tech ‘Best use of digital for NHS Trusts’ award. This category celebrates organisations that effectively use digital platforms to engage with the public. We’ve been recognised for our strategic use of TikTok, a platform that has allowed us to reach younger, and traditionally harder-to-reach audiences. By creating and delivering content in a way that resonates with this demographic, we’re able to increase awareness of health information and services. 

Our second nomination comes from the Orlo Golden Ele Awards for the ’Community Impact’ award which has recognised the way in which we’ve promoted the vital work of our Health Bus through the use of Nextdoor. We’ve been able to provide residents with health information and opportunities to directly access our services.

And the third ‘Comms Hero’ award recognises how we’ve used social media to share patient stories, and offer a compassionate approach to sensitive topics, breaking down barriers and providing help for those affected by issues such as miscarriage, HIV and post-natal depression.

Across our profiles on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and most recently TikTok, our goal has always been to make our messaging useful and engaging, ensuring that important health information captures the attention of the public. Our recent sexual health TikTok  has even gone viral, reaching 800,000 people and demonstrating the power of social media in the way we communicate. 

Cathy Saunders, our Director of Communications, expressed her pride about being shortlisted, stating:

“Over the last few years we’ve transformed our social media approach and the results are now starting to speak for themselves. Whilst it’s great to be recognised in these sector-leading awards, the most important thing is that we’re now able to reach and have a positive impact on wider audiences, including those who sometimes may struggle to access healthcare.”

Our social media manager, Holly Felstead, spoke to Rebecca Paddick about TikTok within the NHS on a Tech to Transform podcast which you can listen to.

Listen to the podcast on Can TikTok help the NHS reach new heights? (new browser tab)