Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

PALS communications

  • Last modified date:
    28 March 2008

Freely available marketing materials to help NHS trusts promote their patient advice and liaison services.

Introduction

During 2003/04, the Department of Health commissioned the NPDG to develop an updated marketing resource for PALS.  This new CD of publicity templates, which builds on original material produced by the Department of Health's Communications Directorate, was circulated to all PALS Managers in June 2004.  In addition to a variety of templates built around a core 'brand', the disk contains 71 high quality photographic images with which to customise local publications.

The intention is that, as PALS services produce new printed promotional material, they will use these resources to promote their service.  Customised publications, based on the nationally produced templates, should comply with NHS Identity guidelines, see link below.

Any PALS Service which requires a copy of the updated Resource CD should contact the National PALS Network by email (details below).

NHS toolkit for producing patient information

Information is an important part of the patient journey and a key element in the overall quality of each patient's experience. The need to improve the information provided for patients across the NHS was a commitment in the NHS Plan. To help achieve this, the DH has developed a toolkit that is clear, easy to follow and helpful as a broad-ranging reference tool. It includes guidance on how to produce written information as well as a series of artwork templates designed to help the NHS produce consistent, high-quality information.

NHS Photo Library

The NHS Photo Library holds health and social care related imagery for use by the NHS, Department of Health and local authority social services. The images are free to download and can be used in any form or medium - the only requirement is that where the images are used, it is obvious that one of the above mentioned organisations has produced, or has been a joint partner in the production of, the material. The website is password protected so you will need to register before you may use the library.

Resources

The following resources are available on a CD-Rom which you can order from the National PALS Network by email (details below).

QuarkXPress template artwork:

  • A4 and A5 PALS leaflets
  • A3 and A4 PALS posters
  • PALS credit cards
  • 3 PALS exhibition panel graphics

Each template includes a blank area where you can insert contact details for your own patient advice and liaison service. Your printer will need to use this CD in order to produce your publications to your specifications alongside your text, instructions and choice of images.

Microsoft Word templates

  • A3 poster
  • A4 flyer
  • A4 poster

The purpose of these templates is to enable you to produce your own communications materials where short runs, say 20 copies, are required which can be printed to a laser or ink-jet printer. (You will need an A3 printer for the A3 poster)

Other resources on the CD-Rom include:

  • PALS powerpoint slide templates
  • Script for a PALS radio advertisement
  • 71 high quality photographs specifically taken for PALS.

You will probably want to consider producing your marketing materials in different formats e.g. ethnic minority languages, depending on the needs of your local area.

Translated leaflets

An introductory leaflet about PALS is now available in 25 languages and can be down-loaded from the PALS Online website (see link below). The leaflets have been produced as 'Word' files, which can be modified to include the contact details of local PALS, and can be printed on office printers. They have been published in order to enable PALS to make their services more accessible through the distribution of low-volume, high-quality leaflets.

Further help

The communications and/or patient and public involvement managers at your NHS trust will be able to provide advice on raising awareness of your PALS service amongst patients and the public in your area. For further information in regards to PALS resources please contact the National PALS Network (details below). If you prefer to develop your own promotional materials, these should be produced in accordance with the NHS identity guidelines available at the NHS Identity website.

Access keys