Incident Status: 
Communications and Marketing
Bedford Hospital prides itself on its communication with its patients, staff, visitors and local community.
The communications and marketing department manage all aspects of Trust communications, including internal (staff) communications, external communications (campaigns, public health information, patient information), e-communications and marketing. The department also operates the hospital's press office, deaing with all media inquiries on behalf of hospital staff.
| Key Staff |
Media Enquiries
Press Office
All media enquiries are dealt with by the communications department.
For all enquiries, please call 01234 792 627 or use the details above.
Out of hours: call the hospital switchboard and ask for the duty communications officer.
Patient Confidentiality
We place great emphasis on the need for the strictest confidentiality in respect of our patients. We will not disclose any information about a patient unless we are given written permission from the individual or their next of kin (confidentiality waivers are available elcetronically from the communications department). All requests for interviewing/photographing patients must be made through the Communications department.
Arranging interviews with Trust staff/filming or photographing on the Bedford Hospital site
Under no circumstances may interviews, filming or photography be carried out on or around the hospital site without the express permission of the communications department. If you carry out any filming or photographing without permission, our security team will request that you leave the site. If you need further information on any news stories, or would like to arrange an interview, please contact the communications department.
Condition checks
Patient condition checks will only be given if the communicaitons department is supplied with the name of the individual patient concerned, with the correct spelling. Only a brief indication of the progress of the patient will be given such as, the patient is satisfactory or stable or critically ill.
Major Incidents
Should a major incident occur, the hospital has a contingency plan that includes arrangements for the media. A media centre will be established in the Medical Institute at Bedford Hospital, which is close to Accident and Emergency. This will be set up for press conferences and will be equipped with telephone lines, working space, and facilities making for tea and coffee. Media will be given regular updates on the situation, and the opportunity for interviews. Depending on the type of incident, we will decide at the time on the best vantage point for photographs and filming.
