Ian Probert Email & Phone Number

Providing communications expertise for the deployment of the CRS Millennium Project, a new computer system which is an essential building block towards the introduction of electronic patient records for patients.Writing, editing and overseeing distribution of internal material in advance of the system's go-live. This included hard-copy publications and posters, electronic bulletins and a redesign of the intranet.Overseeing production and use of patient-facing colleral, including posters and leafets, swtchboard messages and the Trust's internet site.Drafted responses to media enquiries and gave advice to senior executives about media responses. Liaised with stakeholders, such as the Department of Health, and with project partners.Used copywriting skills to implement an acclaimed staff-facing poster campaign promoting training.

Providing copywriting expertise to change radically the Audit Commission’s reporting style for Oneplace, the acclaimed public services assessment website. Editing, planning content, writing and supervising production and delivery of key internal publications, including the interactive electronic monthly staff magazine. Overseeing the magazine’s relaunch, increasing readership when title was brought in-house. Launching and editing a dedicated e-publication that succeeded in raising awareness among line managers of issues around matters such as performance management and changes in employment law. Establishing communication with senior opinion-formers by editing and overseeing production and delivery of an alumni e-newsletter. Creating a dedicated LinkedIn group of more than 200 that significantly increased membership of the alumni network Liaising with senior managers to ensure publications reflect corporate strategy in an open, engaging and accessible way, for example, during the introduction of new IT systems and the abolition of the commission.Project-managing communications around equality and diversity and improving writing skills of commission staff. Copywriting and editorial supervision to improve the tone of key internal documents, such as the annual report, and guides for performance management and health and safety.

Increased positive media coverage, for example, by identifying opportunities presented by innovations in patient care, and the trust’s status as a major research centre. Used extensive media contacts to improve coverage in regional, national and trade media, including national television. Adept at handling negative media enquiries, often involving sensitive issues surrounding patient confidentiality, hospital food, and payroll failures.Gave media advice to senior executives to minimise the impact of negative publicity, for example, around infection outbreaks and forced ward closures. Liaised with the Strategic Health Authority and partner organisations such as the University of Bristol to gain extensive media coverage of projects such as the £15 million refurbishment of Bristol Dental Hospital.

Established own publishing business, writing and designing personalised souvenir newspaper pages for events such as weddings and anniversaries. Created a website to market the business nationwide.

Selected to launch the News Features department to enhance news coverage of the topics of the day, such as crime, education and city regeneration. Conceived and evaluated story ideas and supervised editing, design and production. Managed writers, photographers and sub-editors and liaised with senior managers.

National Council For The Training Of Journalists Pre-Entry, Journalism

Ba, Combined Degree, American Studies/English Literature