Jim Higgins
Question:37 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the public relations contracts and launch of the new health strategy. [30922/01]
Written Answers. - Health Strategy.
Deirdre Clune
Question:133 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to his Department in launching the recent health strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31070/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 133 together.
The new health strategy, Quality and Fairness: a Health System for You, sets out a framework for growth and development, modernisation and reform for the health system over the next seven to ten years. Successful completion of the 121 actions outlined in the strategy will require a very significant change management programme, the first element of which involves clear communication to all stakeholders of the vision, underlying principles, goals, objectives and the actions required to yield a successful outcome.
The first stage of this process involved the launch of the strategy on 26 November, before an audience which quite deliberately included representatives of the many stakeholders involved. The follow through to the launch on 26 November has involved wide dissemination of the strategy document and supporting documents, as well as a programme of formal presentations on the content of the strategy throughout the health system. These presentations are supported by a range of centrally prepared audio-visual materials to ensure uniformity in the approach taken in different settings.
Given the scale of the programme involved and the key importance of effectively communicating the main messages to all stakeholders, my Department, following a tendering process, engaged Carr Communications to advise on and provide all necessary support for the communications programme around the strategy.
Specifically the tender related to the following activities: to provide advice and support on and to organise pre-launch publicity for the new health strategy; to organise the launch of the new health strategy; to prepare, support and implement a communications plan to promote the main messages of the new health strategy; to provide on-going support for the post launch phase of the new health strategy; and to provide general communications support on related issues across the Department's brief.
The estimated cost of the consultancy assign ment for the communications programme and for the launch itself – seating, technical support, refreshments etc. – totals some £103,000 or 130,783.
This investment needs to be viewed in the context of the vital importance of effective communication to in the region of 90,000 staff now working in the health system as well as the very many people otherwise involved with the health services in a whole variety of roles.