Sky News specialist health producer Mark Thompson has been added to the line-up for the joint Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) and Doctors for the NHS (DFNHS) conference.
Mark has worked in the Sky News health team since becoming involved in health coverage during the pandemic.
In his presentation The NHS in crisis – and how the media responds Mark will share his experiences of reporting on the NHS and how the media responds when the health service is in crisis.
The DAUK and DFNHS joint conference takes place on Saturday 10 October at Bedern Hall in York. Book your place now.
Mark moved into health journalism during the pandemic, having previously worked in the Sky News Westminster bureau and on breaking news. Before that, he spent eight years in France covering international politics and major breaking news events.
Health stories
Mark’s conference presentation will draw on his experience covering the NHS, offering his own perspective on how journalists approach health stories and the pressures involved in reporting on a health service under strain.
He will also share personal anecdotes from his career and reflect on some of the lessons he has learned from covering the NHS and the people working within it.
The session will offer doctors an opportunity to hear directly from someone working in national broadcast news and to gain a better understanding of how NHS stories are developed and reported and presented to the public.
Conference speakers
Other speakers include surgeon, author and equality advocate Dr David Sellu, who will speak on Misuse of disciplinary procedures and injustice in the NHS.
The conference will also feature consultant physician Dr Louella Vaughan speaking on equality in the NHS, while Dr Alison George of DAUK and Dr David Zigmond of DFNHS will discuss the future of general practice.
Other sessions will examine the role and dangers of Palantir in the NHS, patient safety, and the challenges currently facing the health service.
Running order, which is subject to change:
10.00 am – Registration for a 10.30 am start. Tea and coffee available
10.30 am – Opening welcome from the chairs of DAUK and DFNHS
11.00 am – Dr Louella Vaughan – Equality in the NHS
Followed by questions.
12.00 pm – Dr Alison George (DAUK) and Dr David Zigmond (DFNHS) – The problems facing general practice
Followed by questions.
1.00 pm – Lunch
2.00 pm – Dr David Nicholls (DAUK) – The role and dangers of Palantir in the NHS
Followed by questions.
3.00 pm – Mark Thompson (Sky News’s specialist health producer) –
4.00 pm – Tea and coffee break
4.30 pm – The Paul Noone Memorial Lecture
Delivered by Dr David Sellu – Misuse of disciplinary procedures and injustice in the NHS
Followed by questions.
5.30 pm – Chairs’ closing remarks
6.00 pm – Close of conference
6.30 pm – Evening meal (booked separately)
Attendance and booking Information
· In-person attendance: £50 per delegate (limited to 50 places). Book your place now.
· Online attendance: £25 with full interactive access. Book your online place now.
· Lunch and tea and coffees.
· An optional evening meal will be available to book separately.