NurChat launch new website to lead evolution of social media in healthcare

TOTNES, U.K. - Sept. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- In recognition of the growing role social media has to play in healthcare, the online nursing community NurChat has today launched a new website (http://www.nurchat.co.uk/), designed to streamline online discussion of contemporary healthcare topics on Twitter. This will give nurses and healthcare professionals a centralised platform on which they can share best practice, discuss current issues and positively affect patient care.

NurChat, an online community that hosts fortnightly twitter chats for nurses and healthcare professionals, but also regularly welcomes patients and anyone with an interest in healthcare, boasts a wide-range of articles discussing healthcare in the United Kingdom. Facilitated by Newcross Healthcare Solutions (http://www.newcrosshealthcare.com/), NurChat is committed to hosting high-quality discussions that supports the development of the growing online community of healthcare professionals.

The new website features a bespoke app that displays tweets and conversations in real time, making it easier than ever before for healthcare staff to connect with their peers and have their say on frontline patient care. Combining this with a distinctive design, relevant reading material and a live countdown to the next discussion, nurses will henceforth have a wealth of knowledge and opportunity at their fingertips, all in one place.

The NurChat community has grown significantly since the first discussion in August 2011, taking part in progressive movements such as NHS Change Day, whilst being quick to react to breaking news, including the Francis report and the Cavendish review. In this time, over 14,000 tweets have been sent from the NurChat twitter account, with a grand total of 1,168 ‘NurChatters’ involved in 57 live NurChat discussions, which have garnered an incredible 12,234 tweets.

Publishing more than 135 articles, NurChat offers something for everyone, dealing with contemporary topics from the healthcare sector. In the past year, NurChat has discussed broad subjects such as modern technologies in healthcare and the constitution and values of the NHS, whilst also considering more clinically specific areas such as pressure ulcers and a three-part series on dementia.

With a diverse community providing expertise in a number of areas, NurChat discussions are always enlightening, supporting a unique culture of positivity and action. NurChat’s involvement in NHS Change Day helped break the pioneering campaign’s goal of 65,000 pledges of change, contributing towards a total 189,000 pledges. NurChat also played an important role in offering frontline staff the opportunity to react to recommendations made in the Francis report in the wake of widespread media criticism, suggesting additional effective measures to be considered.

This culture of progression is one that continues to flourish at NurChat. With the NurChat community now equipped with a streamlined, inclusive app to guide discussions, and more content than ever before, the discussion of healthcare on social media will expand even further. This will form the basis of a network of enthusiastic and proficient healthcare staff sharing contemporary and best practice, which will have a significant and positive impact on the state of healthcare in this country.

About NurChat

NurChat hosts regular discussions on contemporary and relevant topics in UK healthcare via Twitter and other social platforms. Facilitated by healthcare employer Newcross Healthcare Solutions, NurChat is a thriving community of nurses and healthcare professionals, with over 4,000 unique followers of the NurChat twitter account. NurChat is committed to high-quality discussion to facilitate positive outcomes, and support the continued professional development of healthcare professionals throughout the United Kingdom.

To find out more about NurChat please contact the Newcross Healthcare Solutions Communications team at communications@newcrosshealthcare.com, or call 01803 867800.