What to do if the media calls

NSW Health has developed a revised public communication policy to help employees who might be contacted by the media.

It also provides consistent guidelines on how to best use communication channels, including social media, and covers media requests; development of communication materials; advertising campaigns; external requests for visits, or requests for information; comment; interviews and photographs or filming within NSW Health facilities or property.

The key focus of the policy is ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of patients, their families and our employees are top priorities.

For example, the policy advises employees what to do if a member of the public starts recording images, video or audio on a mobile phone (they are entitled to request they stop where this may result in a breach of privacy, or where, in the view of the treating clinician, it interferes with, or compromises, patient care).

Consent is another important issue dealt with under the policy, as are requests for photos or interviews with patients.

Any contact from the media at WSLHD should be referred to the media team on wslhd-media@health.nsw.gov.au

The full policy can be found here.