Andy Ashcroft

I’d have been happy to pull them on a sled to get there

When you decide to be a parent and everything that comes with it…nothing prepares you for snow day on what was meant to be their first school day back after spending 16 straight days with them during the holidays.

Please share!

Are you looking for a New Year’s Resolution?

How about one that doesn’t take very long and literally saves lives?

Please join the thousands of other people who regularly donate blood, plasma or platelets.

Don’t put it off - please book now! www.blood.co.uk

Had one of them this week and wondered if it was just me that was puzzled 🤔

I play open age football and can still do this as I just stand at the back, shout instructions and head a few balls. I wake up fine on a Monday.

Last Sunday I played over 45s and they let me run around in midfield…it’s Wednesday night and I can still barely walk 😭

A map that shows life expectancy rates across the UK. Life expectancy is lower in Scotland (it is lowest in Scotland) and the North of England than in London and the South of England. This map uses data from ONS life expectancy for local areas of Great Britain 2021-23 and ONS life expectancy in Northern Ireland 2021-23.

Today's ONS stats illustrate the devastating impacts of poverty on life expectancy.

Most areas across Great Britain have experienced a fall in life expectancy. 📢

With some of the most deprived areas having the lowest expectancy. 1/3

Blueskyers….it would be amazing if people used their real name and a real picture on their accounts to keep this place authentic (unless it’s a genuine attempt to be confidential). A large number of cats and dogs following me in the last 24 hours…I’m not even a pet sort of person 🤣

I’ve made a starter pack of folk who work in NHS communications and engagement (aka #NHScomms).

Please let me know if you’d like to be added (or taken off)!

go.bsky.app/6NfZx5Q

One of those classic “these jobs don’t come up very often” roles. And working with the amazing UHDB Comms and Engagement team…arguably one of the best in the NHS

www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jo...

Me and my bro are looking to hit the North Coast 500 next year, having lately hiked the West Highland Way and then last year an enjoyable little slog around Rum. Any recommendations for ‘show-stoppers’ that just can’t be missed? Any any hints/tips?

Yep. I agree. Wait and see

How long do you think we need to give it until NHS organisations need to think about a formal presence on here? Or do we keep it for idea sharing amongst individuals?

Yep. I think Linked-in might be the place that survives from a professional perspective just because there is more personal accountability on there 👍

I must admit I’m behind the curve on AI uptake. Do you think it’s now got that capability for different platforms?

Yep exactly. From my time in Trust-land. Facebook was king for any messaging…especially if you had time to write the messaging specifically for that platform. Obviously the more the splintering…the less time to write site specific copy

Yep. The difference in my ‘for you’ feed vs my ‘following’ feed on X almost feels like two separate universes

Yes - the data element is a tough one. Especially given the influencers in our varied fields (Journalists, CEOs, patient reps in NHS etc) are likely to become fragmented, or in many cases withdraw from active participation altogether in the case of some leaders?

Yes - I’d agree. Plus this also feels like a splintering of not only age, but also world view/outlook. Perhaps one of the values of Comms people will be to be the ones that have a presence on multi-platforms and feed what they see into their orgs, rather than focus on putting things out there?

Be interested to hear what Comms professionals, especially in NHS, think of the splintering of social media platforms and the impact on reaching audiences. Is it a ‘do them all’ approach or is it time to prioritise?

@ranjeetkaile.bsky.social is a good one!

If anyone on here is from the NHS, especially NHS comms, please give me a follow and I’ll follow back. Looking forward to linking in with people on this site.