Health
Branding GP commissioning consortia
IE recently received a copy of the following interim branding guidance – issued by a senior brand manager at the Department of Health. As Chairs of consortia settle in issues of naming, branding, websites, intranets and extranets are all beginning to rise up the priority list.The Department of Health is understandably keen to ensure that logos and email addresses are only issued to organisations that legitimately require them and to maintain records / limit the proliferation of web sites, URLs and logos.
IE’s experience working within NHS brand guidelines is coming into its own as pathfinder and emerging consortia seek to express a recognisable, local voice through naming, visual identity and web based comms.
The same guidance communiqué offered a helpful steer on the relationship between consortia and localities... It gives the example of a consortium driven by 6 localities who all need a web presence. The DH strongly advises that the localities be aligned and ‘hang off’ the one consortium website – and not have what they describe as ‘random websites’.
This is precisely the sort of future-proofing / strategic planning that IE is providing to consortia across the UK and it’s great to see the DH affirming best practice.
Find out more about IE’s GP consortia service packages
The interim guidelines read as follows:
Branding GP commissioning consortia
Guidelines are in development to enable emerging and pathfinder commissioning consortia to use the NHS brand in the period before authorisation in 2013. As consortia form and develop their commissioning roles, it is important that this work is presented clearly to patients, public and staff as part of the NHS and delivered in line with the values of the NHS Constitution. Use of the NHS identity, including the logo, colours and typefaces, will enable consortia to communicate their emerging role within the NHS clearly and effectively.
Naming
The existing naming guidance on the brand guidelines site is still relevant, however commissioning consortia names are not being mandated. From our perspective they should follow the principals of the naming guidance. I believe that the word commissioning is important and also can confirm that they can use NHS in the title, Adherence to the guidelines will also apply in this instance.
Information required for URL requests
For requests for a .nhs url we are asking that commissioning consortia forward an email from an appropriate contact within a PCT/SHA supporting their request.
Agreement in writing
GP commissioning consortia are also been informed that they need to agree in writing to abide by the following:
* To be on the pathfinder programme or meet the criteria set down for emerging consortia;
* To adhere to the rules and principles of registering NHS domain names as issued by CFH (Including naming protocol);
* If you have an NHS url to use the NHS identity and to adhere to NHS brand guidelines which are subject to change ;
* That use of the domain / e-mail addresses is until 2013 and will only continue if the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB) authorise the consortia;
* That in 2013 the NHSCB may require a change in consortia name which will need to be reflected in the domain name;Similarly, if the consortium isn't authorised in 2013 - they will no longer be able to use the identity.
Interesting times...