NHS Communications Forum
20 May 2026
11:00 - 13:00
Online via Teams
Communications
Leadership
Race equality
Overview
Join the inaugural NHS Communications Forum
Designed for senior communications and engagement leads in NHS trusts, ICBs and other member organisations, this forum is your opportunity to network and connect with your communications peers at our first communications event as The NHS Alliance.
Why this matters
Bringing together members of NHS Providers' Communications Network and the NHS Confederation's ICB Communications Network, this forum will provide a stronger and unified voice for NHS communications leaders.
Operating under Chatham House Rule, this forum is your opportunity to:
- Share ideas, best practice and exchange learning.
- Gain insights from government and national body leaders on key issues impacting the NHS communicators.
- Hear case studies from communications leaders on the latest innovative work in the sector.
- Engage in interactive sessions to ask questions and share your thoughts.
- Have open and honest discussions with peers in breakout sessions.
Always a helpful event. I leave with knowing I'm not alone in the issues I'm struggling with, helpful ideas for things to try and a renewed sense of optimism.
Agenda
Wednesday 20 May
09:45Registration - waiting room open
10:00Welcome
Introduction and chair's welcome
Forum chair
Kate Jarman
10:05Session 1
Strategic policy update
Hear an overview from our director of communications on recent strategic policy issues and developments impacting the sector, with analysis on what these may mean for the providers and ICB members.
This session will have opportunity for Q&A and discussion throughout.
Speaker
Daniel Reynolds
10:45Session 2
BME Apprenticeship Scheme and case study
Explore how a BME Apprenticeship Scheme has been implemented at South East London and Maudsley.
Speaker
Ranjeet Kaile
11:25Session 3
Hot topics discussion
Discuss the issues most important to you in this interactive breakout session. Share your key challenges, experiences and learning.
Chair
Kate Jarman
Chair
Tom Gurney
11:55Closing comments
Please note, our agenda is still in development for this event so session timings may be subject to change. We will share more details over the coming weeks of further sessions and speakers.
Network chairs and speakers
Kate Jarman
Chief Corporate Services Officer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Tom Gurney
Director of Transition and Communications
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
Dan Charlton
Chief Communications Officer and Deputy Director
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Centre for Health Communication Research
Daniel Reynolds
Director of Communications
The NHS Alliance
Ranjeet Kaile
Executive Director of Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, and Public Affairs
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
How to book
Attendance is free, however you will need to book in advance to receive joining instructions to access the network.
If you have any questions, or would like to be added to the mailing list to hear about future events and The NHS Alliance resources, please contact the Forums team.
Who should attend
For our inaugural event, we are inviting communications leaders from member organisations and those that have yet to decide to attend. This includes:
- Directors of communications and engagement across trusts, ICBs and other parts of the system.
- Other senior communications leaders.
If you're from an organisation that has notified us they will not become members of The NHS Alliance, you will not be permitted to attend.