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College Website and Communications 2011 PDF
College Website and Communications 2011 PDF
College Website
INTRODUCTION
The College website project is responsible for the development and management of the ICGP website
www.icgp.ie - in line with the strategic direction of the College. The project aims to create a
comprehensive content resource enabling the dissemination of information to members and wider audience.
The College website also enables members to make communication and interaction with the College more
convenient and efficient as well as marketing and promoting College activities.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Project management of web developments and liaison with Ionic Ltd and SMR Consulting.
Liaison with various College groups (administrators, project directors, committees etc), management
of each groups section and communication regarding website developments and tools.
Creation of online repository of documents so that all staff can locate most recent version of all
documents quickly and easily.
July 2010
Aug 2010
Sep 2010
Oct 2010
Page Views
187,269
151,375
153,026
124,661
151,339
166,469
Visits
30,100
26,754
27,325
24,636
26,896
27,655
Unique Visitors
12,721
11,610
12,133
11,763
12,748
12,876
Nov 2010
Dec 2010
Jan 2011
Feb 2011
March 2011
April 2011
Page Views
213,224
155,113
283,076
250,212
261,403
Not available
Visits
33,239
26,743
40,498
37,497
41,403
Not available
Unique Visitors
14,329
11,911
17,738
16,253
17,163
Not available
CURRENT STATUS
There have been a number of developments during the year May 2010 to April 2011.
Intranet
The Web & Communications Manger and Sandra Rooney have been working on an intranet/extranet on
the ICGP website. Throughout 2009-2010 we added information on all College tasks, job responsibilities,
protocols and manuals and would display the relevant information according to a users role. The intranet
will also improve internal communications and allow HR/Management to plan resources and assist in the
induction of new staff. This service went live in November 2010.
Core Curriculum
In December 2009 Dr Margaret ORiordan asked the Web Manager to look into improving the interface
of the online core curriculum and to integrate a visual learning aid developed by Dr Tony Tee, a GP
Trainer from Waterford.
A series of improvements are in progress and are due to go live in June 2011. We intend to redesign the
core curriculum to make more user friendly and easy to navigate. Flash authoring software, Ajax and
JavaScript programming languages will also allow for the development of an enhanced user interface
and a dynamic experience. This will allow users to find what they need more quickly and easily.
We will also be linking learning outcomes to useful resources in conjunction with the ICGP librarians and
will improve the learning plan for trainees.
FUTURE PLANS
As above most of the developments during 2011 and 2012 will concentrate on providing online tools for
members to fulfil the requirements of the Medical Councils professional competence scheme. Some of
these developments will centre on providing tools to record activity and to store information in case of
audit. Other developments will focus on providing readily accessible educational activity on the website so
that users can access at a time and place that suits them.
COMMUNICATIONS &
PUBLIC RELATIONS
AUTHORS | DR MEL BATES, CHAIR OF COMMUNICATIONS
COMMITTEE AND ANGELA BYRNE, WEB & COMMUNICATIONS
MANAGER
The communications and public relations role is undertaken by Dr Mel Bates (Chairman Communications
Committee) and Angela Byrne (Web and Communications Manager).
PROJECT ACTIVITIES/TASKS
Liaise with the College Officers and Executive on the Colleges position on issues.
Organise and facilitate media coverage for the AGM and other College meetings and events.
Develop and maintain a communication process embracing College staff/projects, faculties and
members.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Material Sent to the Media
Press releases and photographs issued to the media:
Media Queries
The media desk was busy again during the 2010-2011 periods with an average of 30-40 queries per
month. Each month media reports are prepared for College officers. A full report for 2010 2011 is
available on request.
A number of important topics were in the spotlight this year which resulted in the College and general
practice being called on to give their comments and opinions. This also led to a number of high profile
appearances especially on television for our College spokespersons, a sample of which are available
below:
January 2011: Swine Flu Pandemic
The key topic during January 2011 was the swine flu pandemic. A sample of the interviews can be viewed
below:
6th January from Morning Ireland
http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-0601111sthour24m41smorningireland.mp3
Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0110/1224287157578.html
TV3, Ireland AM
http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=31442&locID=1.65.74&page=7
January February 2011: Emergency Contraception Available Over the Counter
The pharmacy Boots decision to make emergency contraception available without prescription also led to
a lot of queries. A sample is available below:
RTE News
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0110/pill.html#video
Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0111/1224287234949.html
RTE Radio 1, Morning Ireland
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/player_av.html?0,null,200,http://dynamic.rte.ie/quickaxs/209-r1morningireland.smil
TV3 Ireland AM
http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=31158&locID=1.65.74&date=2011-0112&date_mode=&page=11&show_cal=&newspanel=&showspanel=&web_only=&full_episodes=
American Academy of Paediatrics advising parents against giving children paracetamol and
ibuprofen for mild fever.
Queries from Fair City RTE regarding accuracy of stories relating to their GP character.
Obesity.
Dr Mel Bates was also a frequent contributor to the Irish Times Health Supplement on a number of clinical
topics, the Eamonn Keane Show on Newstalk FM, the Drivetime programme on RTE Radio 1 and the Health
Supplement on the Irish Times.
Media Watch
In November 2007 we entered into a contract with Electric Search an online search engine. This search
engine monitors Irish press for media reports relevant to the ICGP. It then automatically alerts us via email
and brings us directly to relevant articles. This has allowed us to keep track of all media reports on the
ICGP and general practice issues.
Date
Audience
10/05/2010
12/05/2010
Minor Surgery
18/05/2010
29/06/2010
12/07/2010
14/07/2010
28/07/2010
Containing Rosiglitazone
trainees in ROI
04/08/2010
30/08/2010
29/09/2010
19/10/2010
17/11/2010
NEGs Members
13/01/2011
13/01/2011
18/01/2011
24/01/2011
03/02/2011
11/02/2011
23/02/2011
02/03/2011
NEGs members
COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES
Forum
Angela Byrne continued to collate monthly Forum news from ICGP staff, members and Committees. A
meeting of the Forum Editorial Board was organised in November 2010 and March 2011.
Intranet
As detailed in the website annual report, the Web & Communications Manger and Sandra Rooney have
been working on an intranet/extranet on the ICGP website. The intranet will also improve internal
communications and allow HR/Management to plan resources better and assist in the induction of new
staff.
FUTURE PLANS
Reactivate the network of GPs who used feature on local radio on a regular basis in the past.