Alpha Hospitals provided specialist secure psychiatric services in state of the art buildings over three campuses across the UK. Healthy Reputations managed its reputation for almost eight years, leading to its successful trade sale to Cygnet Healthcare.
Alongside a 24 hours a day service, we led project campaigns.
One such activity, was ensuring a vital new service was introduced into the local community in Woking. Alpha Hospitals had invested in a site to redevelop into a much needed service for Woking residents. The high quality facility would include two wards and one town house, enabling NHS patients to receive the right care, close to home. However Alpha had experienced resistance from the local community for previous development plans.
To ensure this site was successfully introduced a communications plan was developed that ensured that Alpha Hospitals led and controlled communications. Messaging was developed that reminded people of the healthcare needs this project was developed to meet, reminding how it will change lives for the better. This message was taken proactively to each target audience in a coordinated way. Firstly key opinion leaders to build advocacy; secondly immediate neighbours who may have the greatest concerns; later wider communications to community groups and the media.
To ensure any complaints or questions were heard and answered by Alpha Hospitals first, a website was built that provided residents with an easy to find outlet and an open evening was hosted to enable people to talk directly with the team who would be managing the home.
Results
Residents engaged with the communications offered by Alpha Hospitals, attending the open evening and visiting the website. Councillors and community groups also responded well with engagement and provided support for the project. The home opened on schedule, with positive coverage by local press. Continued growth and opening of new facilities saw Cygnet Health acquire Alpha Hospitals for £95 million.
Healthy Reputations 