The national communications and public affairs team works with other HSE teams to deliver information about health matters and the HSE as an organisation. The team helps to make information accessible for the public and ensures people get news on health and the work of the HSE.
The team looks after:
- public information campaigns
- information and communications to staff
- information for media
- online content
- social media
- print, for example leaflets and posters
Communications and Public Affairs leadership team:
- Mark Brennock, National Director of Communications and Public Affairs
- Caitríona Meehan, Assistant National Director of Communications Operations
- Ben Cloney, Assistant National Director of Communications and Digital Services
Communications and Public Affairs teams
There are a number of teams within the HSE's national communications and public affairs division that carry out specific work. All of these teams work together to ensure that everyone who needs to know about the HSE, health conditions and public health information can access and understand it easily.
Campaigns and Research
Campaigns and research design and manage all HSE social marketing and public health campaigns. These campaigns target everyone who lives in the Republic of Ireland. They aim to encourage measurable health changes, such as mental health management, quitting smoking and so on. The campaigns feature on television, radio and outdoor advertising.
The work of this team involves research, the creation of campaigns and media buying. They also support HSE operations and services by giving them access to information for people with different communication and language needs.
Email: campaigns@hse.ie
Digital
The digital team designs and delivers digital services such as:
- content design and content strategy for HSE websites
- digital marketing
- social media content and campaigns
- user experience design and research
- digital delivery
- technology and innovation
If you need support in any of these areas, you can contact HSE Digital by email.
Email: digital@HSE.ie
HSE Live
HSE Live is our contact care centre, helping people find the health services they need. The team provides support to services like vaccines, HSE schemes and benefits, and more.
If you require support from HSE Live as someone who works in the HSE, you can contact the HSE digital team email address.
Email: digital@hse.ie
Internal Communications
The HSE internal communications team provide communications to all staff and leaders in the HSE. This is done though a staff website, a regular email newsletter, blogs, the Health Matters staff magazine, and on social media.
The team gives advice on messaging to different staff groups, accessible web and print communications, virtual events and video production.
Email: internalcomms@hse.ie
National Complaints, Governance and Learning Team (NCGLT)
The National Complaints Governance and Learning Team (NCGLT) is a national unit tasked with developing the systems to make sure the HSE delivers on its commitment to providing an enhanced service user feedback process. The NCGLT makes sure that the feedback system is accessible, flexible and responsive. It ensures that the information from the feedback is used to drive improvement in the HSE.
Feedback, both positive and negative, can provide useful insights into the standards of care given to those who use our services. Capturing and analysing this feedback should be central to how we learn and improve the quality of our services.
NCGLT provides a range of services including:
- covering policy development
- assurance & governance
- training and development
- data analytics.
NCGLT operates two national frontline complaints services:
- The National Your Service Your Say office provides a dedicated national contact point for people who use HSE services, or someone who can speak on their behalf. It allows them to provide comments, compliments and complaints on their experience with our health services, or to seek help with providing feedback.
- A specialised service for those wishing to make a complaint under the Disability Act 2005 where they are unhappy with their child's assessment of need or Service Statement.
Parliamentary Affairs
The primary role of the Parliamentary Affairs Division is to manage the interaction between the HSE, the Department and the Oireachtas by organising, developing and monitoring the efficient conduct of Parliamentary Affairs by the HSE’
Partner Engagement
The HSE partner engagement team supports a network of partner organisations. These partner organisations include businesses that help the HSE to provide vaccines and other important clinical programmes and services to the public.
They provide weekly communications to these partner organisations and support partner engagement meetings to make sure that the services are being delivered effectively.
Email: comms.support@hse.ie
Press and Media
The HSE Press Office team operates a 7 day service, with a 24 hour on-call service. This allows the HSE to respond to any newsworthy events that may occur as quickly as possible.
There is also a dedicated team within press and media that focuses on positive news, pitching stories, events and photography for our campaigns and strategic programmes.
Email: press@hse.ie
Strategic Communications Advice and Planning
The strategic communications advice and planning team works with senior managers across the HSE. They provide advice around communications, crisis response, and communications planning. They are an important part of all HSE programmes.
The HSE Irish language services are part of the team. They lead the implementation of the Official Languages Act.
Email: comms.support@hse.ie