As the consortia seek to establish themselves, effective communication and media management will be paramount.

In an age of24 hour rolling news, local newspapers becoming websites and social media such as Facebook and Twitter, a simple PR slip-up can balloon to disastrous proportions. Equally, the sheer number of stories can often mean that a true success story can be drowned out and missed entirely.

To combat this, those working in primary healthcare must improve their understanding of all current forms of media and how to effectively respond to them.

To help ensure that you have a sturdy and proactive knowledge of media and public relations, the Guardian have designed a one day intensive training course especially for GP consortia and those working in primary healthcare. With an innovative and highly practical combination or training, case studies, expert guidance and peer networking, the seminar will cover:

media interviews (newspaper and television)

crisis management

sharing good news via the media

communications with patients and the public

handling and deploying social media

This dynamic course will inject the skills, information and techniques needed to deal with the media in difficult circumstances and communicate consistently, positively and effectively with the public.
Led by Guardian Professional's own head of marketing strategy, the session has been produced in conjunction with Together4Health, a specialist healthcare communications company that provides media and crisis management training and counsel.
Who should attend?
GP Consortia representatives
PCT executives
Healthcare marketing executives
Course facilitators:

• Sophie Relf, head of guardian professional marketing strategy
• Together4Health

For more information, call 0203 353 4059 or email seminars@guardian.co.uk.