All regional and national press and media enquiries should be directed to the central Department of Health Newsdesk.
Newsdesk - 020 7210 5221
The Newsdesk is the first point of contact for all media enquiries, supplying information on breaking news stories and planned announcements. The Newsdesk also deals with interview requests.
Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm
Out of hours - 07050 073 581
Please contact the duty press officer for out of hours media calls.
Weekdays - 7pm to 8am
Weekends - all hours
Public enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Customer Service Centre for enquiries.
020 7210 4850
The Director General of Communications for the Department of Health is Sian Jarvis.
Head of News, James Sorene - 020 7210 5197
Deputy Head of News, Elisabeth Vanderstock - 020 7210 5821
Chief Press Officer, Jane Garvan - 020 7210 5738
Senior Press Officer, Kirsty Gelsthorpe - 020 7210 5222
Press Officer, Shumon Rahman - 020 7210 5221
Press Officer, Emma Smyth - 020 7210 5221
Press Officer, Peter Donelan - 020 7210 5221
Press Officer, Katrina Coutts - 020 7210 5221
Press Officer, Julia Harris - 020 7210 5221
Press Officer, Lydia Martin - 020 7210 5221
Media Officer, Joanna Humphrey - 020 7210 4939
Chief Press Officer, Miriam Cox - 020 7210 5010
Responsible for the policy portfolios of Simon Burns and Earl Howe. The team also leads on media relations for David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS and his senior leadership team.
Media Officer, Nadina Mustafa - 020 7210 5239
NHS desk (Earl Howe)
Media handling advisors for Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality (Lords)
Media handling advice for policy on:
NHS Constitution; NHS Commissioning Reform including NHS Board, Improving Health Outcomes, HealthWatch, Quipp, Quality Framework and Specialised Commissioning; Primary Care including GP Contract, Out of Hours, Dentistry and Optical Services; Medicines, Pharmacy and Industry including work with the MHRA and NICE; R&D; Innovation; Finance including DEL & spending review and PCT allocations; Arm’s Length Bodies.
Senior Press Officer, Gail Stephens - 020 7210 4990
Press Officer, Maria Mansfeld - 020 7210 5301
Press Officer, Niken Wresniwiro - 020 7210 5281
NHS desk (Simon Burns)
Media handling advice for Simon Burns, Minister of State for Health
Media handling advice for policy on: NHS Financial, performance and capital funding; Health service including community services, acute services, emergency & urgent care, cardiac, stroke & renal; reconfiguration; veterans’ health; patient safety including HCAIs and work with NPSA; Patient experience; NHS Litigation; Quality regulation including work with CQC; Economic regulation including work with Monitor; NHS Workforce including pay & pensions; NHS Estates including mixed sex accommodation; Connecting for Health; Counter Fraud & Security Management; Injury Cost Recovery Scheme; NHS Income Generation & NHS Appointments; Hospital Travel Costs; Procurement including ISTCs.
Senior Press Officer, Juliette Marshall (née Gaubert) - 020 7210 5317
Press Officer, Sharan Chagger - 020 7210 5435
Press Officer, Ashley Rogers - 020 7210 5375
Press Officer, Suzannah Brookner - 020 7210 5010
Chief Press Officer, Kate Pike - 020 7210 5703
Responsible for policy portfolios of Paul Burstow and Anne Milton as well as media relations for the Chief Medical Officer and all health matters relating to emergency preparedness.
Media Officer, Ed Smith - 020 7210 5658
Public Health desk
Media advisors for Anne Milton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health
Media handling advice for policy on: Public health including health improvement & protection, health inequalities, communicable diseases; Emergency preparedness; Vaccination and immunisation; Blood & transplants; Pathology; Ethics; Fertility & embryology; Sexual health; Genetics & biotechnology; Fluoridation; Tobacco, drugs & alcohol; Food including diet & nutrition; Complementary and alternative medicines; International & EU matters; Asylum seekers’ health; Children’s health; Maternity Services; Nursing & Midwifery; Health visiting; Professional Regulation; Medical Education & Training.
Senior Press Officer, Peter Graham - 020 7210 5656
Press Officer, Nick Johnson - 020 7210 5623
Press Officer, Timma McKean - 020 7210 5649
Press Officer, James Hotson - 020 7210 5231
Social care desk
Media advisors for Paul Burstow, Minister of State for Care Services
Media handling advice for policy on: Long-term care reform; Adult social care; Social care finance, workforce, professional regulation & inspection; Personal health budgets; Continuing care & carers; Safeguarding vulnerable adults; Care for the elderly; Malnutrition; End of life care; Long-term conditions including cancer and diabetes; Audiology; Dementia; Mental health including CAMHS; Physical disabilities; Autism & learning disabilities; Third Sector.
Senior Press Officer, Judith Moore - 020 7210 5329
Press Officer, Sarah Read - 020 7210 5724
Press Officer, Sarah Fenlon - 020 7210 5472
Responsible for scheduling all Department of Health announcements and related business, including monitoring business generated by external organisations.
Chief Planning Officer, Robin Gordon-Farleigh - 020 7210 5504
Senior Planning Officer, Emily Brown - 020 7210 5290
Planning Officer, Glenn Covacic - 020 7210 4984
Commissioning and delivering proactive regional and consumer media relations activities across all policy areas.
Chief Press Officer, Jennie Hay - 020 7210 5224
Chief Press Officer, Sophie Coppel - 020 7210 5282
Senior Press Officer (Consumer portfolio), Alison Langley - 020 7210 5947
Senior Press Officer (Regional portfolio), Anna Litherland - 020 7210 5962
Media Officer, Alex Macdonald - 020 7210 5224
Responsible for promoting the provision of more information for patients to enable greater control over their healthcare, through the use of modern technology and services like NHS Choices. Also managing the media for NHS IT which supports healthcare professionals and patients in delivering healthcare, including telehealth and telecare technology. Includes the National Information Governance Board which advises on confidentiality and information security issues.
Head of Media Relations, Eileen Phillips - 020 7969 5924
Media Relations Manager, Briony Bowen - 020 7004 1507
Media Relations Manager, Omar Qirem - 020 7969 5710
Senior Press Officer, Deepa Shah - 020 7004 1503
Media Relations Officer, Suzanne O’Brien - 020 7969 5981
Writing major speeches for Department of Health’s senior ministers, improving speechwriting and writing skills across the department.
Speechwriter to Secretary of State, David Tinline - 020 7210 5478
Speechwriter to Minister of State for Public Health, Neil Coffey - 020 7210 5238
Speechwriter to Minister of State for Health, Mark Morris - 020 7210 4982
Speechwriter, Lachlan Mackenzie - 020 7210 5447
Operations Support Manager, Esther Clarke - 020 7210 5004
Admin and IT support to the Press Office including arranging press briefings, distribution of press notices and statements, amending and maintaining contact lists, provision of newspaper cuttings, specialist magazines and broadcast footage.
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