Review of Australia’s Health Sector Response to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Lessons Identified

Chapter 2: Communications

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Key Findings

• A national public information campaign, complemented by jurisdictional public communications activities, was important for the Australian community to develop an understanding of the role of hygiene in reducing the transmission of influenza.
• Improved communication strategies would enhance future responses.
• Targeted communication with high-risk groups could be improved.
• Media interest in this health emergency was unprecedented. The National Health Emergency Media Response Network (NHEMRN) was invaluable in supporting coordinated national and jurisdictional media responses.
• There is a need to consider a complementary public communications network to coordinate national and jurisdictional public communication campaigns.
• Government websites and telephone hotlines were important information tools. There were challenges in keeping them up to date with current and consistent information.
• The roles of the CMO and CHOs were vital in providing the public with highly credible spokespeople on health issues. Planning for a deputy spokesperson for each of these roles would relieve the pressure on these senior managers.

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This information is current for 17 May, 2012
This information was issued on October, 2011