Membership

Who can join?

AHCM members range from heads of communications in the NHS Executive to solo PR managers in health authorities, boards, PCTs and NHS trusts, to freelancers or PR practitioners working in agencies.

Click here to join the AHCM

Membership is open to anyone working in public relations, communications, media relations, consumer affairs, public engagement or marketing for the NHS, and those working in a support role to such officers.

And you can join if you work outside of the NHS, as long as your main work contributes significantly to NHS communications, for example if you work in communications within social care.

Freelancers or consultants whose primary work is for NHS clients are also eligible to join.

Membership grades

The AHCM offers three grades of membership: individual, group and student. Membership subscription is for one year, effective from the time of application. You can join the AHC at any time of the year. However, renewals are on 1 April or 1 October and you will be sent a renewal reminder in the month closest to when you joined.

How much does membership cost?

Individual AHCM membership costs just £60 for a year.

Group membership

4-10 people                      £200 per group

a further 4 or more

people to a maximum

of 20                               an additional £200

If you are joining as a group, please make sure that you apply together and clearly mark the application form 'group membership'. Although you join as a group, you will receive your own individual log in code to access the Members' Area of the AHC website and copies of the quarterly newsletter ahc news will be sent to one nominated person.

Student

The annual fee for students is £25.

You can apply if you are studying for a recognised communications, media or marketing/PR qualification.

If you have any questions about joining, or about your eligibility for membership, please contact Kate Baldwin, AHCM Administrator on: 01525 222155.

Click here to download a copy of the AHC brochure (pdf 429KB)