Welcome to the Communiqué Awards

The Communiqué programme is specifically designed to recognise and commend excellence and best practice in local, European and international healthcare communications. The programme highlights the range and complexity of the issues facing healthcare communications professionals today and, against this background, the extent to which outstanding work ultimately delivers real improvements in healthcare, does the right thing for patients, builds trust with stakeholders and enhances industry reputation.

A benchmark of excellence

As a benchmark of excellence, the Communiqué programme provides a showcase for healthcare communications, together with the means to champion the highest possible standards and help shape future thinking. Having their work identified and recognised by stakeholders, industry and consultancy professionals is highly motivational for all of the winning teams and individuals, whether they are working in-house, in consultancy or with any other relevant healthcare organisation. The judging process is rigorous, surprising many who are judging for the first time, and once again in 2012, achieved the highest possible feedback rating from the professionals involved, who commended the process and the standards achieved.

Changes to categories for 2013

Categories within the programme have been refined for 2013 to ensure that all aspects of healthcare communications are covered and that Communiqué remains the best respected healthcare communications recognition programme. This year, while reducing the number of categories overall we are introducing one new category, Excellence in the use of Innovative Media Outreach, specifically designed to recognise the impact and effectiveness of innovative and integrated media relations initiatives.

The Communiqué judging criteria

Judging criteria have been reviewed to ensure a continued focus on effectiveness – evidence for and measurement of successful outcomes against key objectives, such as message uptake and identifiable changes in perception or behaviour. The 2013 judging panel will be looking for balanced, independent and compelling programmes that enable stakeholders to improve clinical practice, raise standards of patient care, enhance patient safety, improve access to treatment, or overcome other current treatment barriers. We have ensured that timescales are sufficient to allow for real outcomes that demonstrate the value of the work and the difference it makes for patients.

The Communiqué Awards evening

The Communiqué Awards will be presented at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, on 4 July 2013. Guests from a wide range of disciplines and geographies come together each year, providing a unique opportunity to share an evening with and be recognised by fellow professionals and important stakeholders.

Sharing the learning

However, it is important to bear in mind that the Communiqué programme now provides even more value. Following the success of the 2012 workshops, the 2013 programme will feature a follow up programme to share the learning from the process of the awards and help to shape thinking for the future.

Access full information about the 2013 Communiqué programme here…

All entry information for this year’s programme, including full category descriptions and judging criteria, is available in a downloadable entry kit. Once again we are asking that entries be submitted via email to reduce the amount of paper and photocopying required.

Help in preparing your entry

When preparing your entry you may find it useful to look at both the judges’ tips and the entry checklist. Finally, if you would like a member of the Communiqué Awards team to come and discuss the entry process with you and/or your team, just call or email Ellie Duncanson-Hunter (+44 (0)1372 414252) to arrange a visit.

Trish Savage

Marketing Director