andrew.baud@talapr.co.uk
Tala PR
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Doctors.net.uk is the largest and most active network of medical professionals in the UK
Doctors.net.uk has a membership comprising the vast majority of UK doctors. Each week over 50,000 use the service making it the online professional resource most frequently used by doctors. The network provides extensive clinical content including online education, conference highlights, user-generated content and discussion fora. This array of content supports doctors in making the best decisions for the care of their patients. In surveys, 97% of members of the network say that Doctors.net.uk is their most trusted source of information.
The network was created for doctors, by doctors in 1998. Some 600 doctors now act as advisers and clinical information contributors. Credibility and integrity of all published materials is assured thanks to a code of absolute transparency for all information and an experienced editorial team.
Doctors.net.uk provides a channel through which the health service and industry can effectively communicate with and research the opinions of medical professionals.
The company’s charter states unequivocally what members can expect from Doctors.net.uk, especially with regard to editorial integrity, transparency and its relationship with public sector and commercial partners. These guidelines safeguard the network’s credibility, members’ privacy and ensure that engagement of the healthcare industry with doctors supports best practice and improved healthcare.
Public Sector
Doctors.net.uk offers capabilities above that of conventional healthcare communications
Working with Doctors.net.uk, government and other public sector organisations are able to inform and educate large numbers of medical professionals. Campaigns are proven to be effective: for example, a programme for the NHS Institute resulted in over 20,000 doctors evaluating their clinical practise to improve quality and efficiency of care.
Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, Technology and Private Healthcare Providers
Doctors.net.uk forms an integral part of brand communications
With the healthcare industry scrutinising the cost and effectiveness of the field sales model, Doctors.net.uk has become an integral component in the sales and marketing mix. With return on investment being so clearly demonstrable, clients are increasingly using targeted digital communications to optimise the deployment of their sales and marketing budget.
In a launch campaign, Doctors.net.uk engaged 5,000 GPs who all viewed detailed information about a new product in less than half the time of the standard field sales model. Other award-winning work, for Boehringer Ingelheim, engaged 27,000 doctors in a year-long campaign that was equivalent to having 45 sales representatives on the road for the same period of time.
Market Research through medeConnect Healthcare Insight
medeConnect Healthcare Insight is the market research division of Doctors.net.uk
medeConnect is at the forefront of online research with medical professionals and it now counts nine out of ten of the UK’s largest pharmaceutical companies as its clients. The company also works extensively with public sector organisations such as the Department of Health and the National Audit Office.
medeConnect has an experienced team of market researchers, and undertakes qualitative and quantitative studies to guidelines laid down by the Market Research Society and the British Healthcare Business Intelligence Association (BHBIA).
As well as conducting custom research, the company widely markets a number of highly respected syndicated reports about medical sales activity and prescribing in secondary care. For example, medeConnect publishes regularly a detailed report about HIV prescribing trends.
Key people
Richard Adams, Chief Executive
A graduate of the University of Birmingham, Richard has broad executive-level experience in the areas of healthcare CRM, travel technology and online marketing solutions. Richard spent much of his career at Dendrite International and was Vice President Europe from 2000 to 2002. He joined Sabre Holdings (parent company of Travelocity and lastminute.com) as Vice President Europe at GetThere.com and then became Senior Vice President EMEA for Sabre Travel Network. Richard joined Doctors.net.uk in 2007, excited by the opportunity to develop value for an online network of professionals.
Dr Tim Ringrose MRCP, Managing Director of Medical Communities
Tim graduated from St Andrews University and trained in nephrology and intensive care in Oxford before joining Doctors.net.uk in 2000. Tim has a strong interest in medical education and was an honorary senior lecturer at Warwick Medical School until 2007. Tim has authored many articles in the medical press and acts as spokesperson for the online network of doctors.
Iain Findlay, Managing Director of medeConnect Healthcare Insight
Former head of market research at GSK, Iain’s pharmaceutical industry experience spans over 25 years. He has worked on major brands such as Zantac, Flixotide and Imigran, and also led GSK’s UK disease management and customer offerings teams. In agency, Iain led the development and launch of the Verispan online research service Linx. He has also served on the executive committee of the BHBIA.
Simon Grime, Head of Public Sector
Simon has worked in marketing communications for nearly 20 years and has wide experience of developing communications strategies that increase engagement and drive response. These have ranged from major branding projects through to developing a brand communications model for a global product launch. Simon has also developed effective digital communications strategies for public sector education clients.
Carwyn Jones, Head of Pharmaceutical
Carwyn worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 15 years and held senior roles at Eli Lilly, GSK and Sudler & Hennessey. His experience covers sales, brand management, global strategy and strategic planning. Carwyn works with clients to ensure that communications solutions from Doctors.net.uk deliver maximum returns and achieve brand and corporate objectives.
Steve Wilson, Head of Medical Devices
Steve is a sales and marketing professional with diverse experience across the areas of pharmaceuticals, drug development and medical devices. Previous employers include Eli Lilly, Cardinal Health, Hospira and B.Braun Medical Ltd. Recent roles include international marketing management and divisional business management.
Mike Nuttall, Chief Technology Officer
After graduating from Salford University, Mike was head of software development for Walt Disney’s international television business. He has held positions as chief technology officer at Global Interactive Gaming and Yoomedia Plc and provided consultancy to Visa Europe and Ericsson Services. Mike leads a team to deliver effective software development, responsive IT capability and a flexible delivery platform for Doctors.net.uk’s growing online network of professionals.