HB Health Comms Limited

Writing and editing services

A value-adding, swift and meticulous service, tailored to each client...

Patient information

Engaging, accessible, accurate content for patients and the public that supports decision making and positive action.

Professional content

Inspiring, evidence-based, compliant content to inform and empower healthcare professionals and internal pharma audiences.

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Product and therapy area training

Intuitive, effective training materials for pharma and healthcare professionals that deconstruct complex topics and aid retention of key information.

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Your questions answered

Please contact me if you cannot find the information you need below.

What makes your writing different?

I'm a natural at taking complex, expert health information – such as primary papers, guidelines, and policy information – and reshaping it into engaging, easy-to-understand content that helps and inspires its audience. I achieve this through clear messaging, engaging copy, simple language and an intuitive flow. I can work alongside your design team to sketch out visual ideas, collaborate on the look and feel of a product, and ensure data visualizations represent the facts accurately.

What sort of clients do you have?

I've built a varied client base including charities, medical communication agencies, pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, independent research groups and a policy institute. I take on new clients each year but also get repeat business from established clients as I deliver on time, to budget and to brief.

How much experience do you have?

I have worked in health communications for 20 years. Following my PhD in biomedical science, I began my career as an editor in medical communication agencies in Amsterdam and London. I then spent a number of years in editorial and writing roles in the public sector (CQC, UK) and charity sector (Breakthrough Breast Cancer, UK), where I adapted my skills for lay audiences. I began my freelance business in 2014 as a sole trader and launched HB Health Comms Limited in 2016.

What types of medical writing and editing do you do?

I write and edit website pages, app content, training resources, conference and workshop materials, patient leaflets and more. See the Skills and experience page for an overview. I edit journal articles but writing clinical trial papers is beyond my chosen business scope.

Where can I see examples of your work?

Examples of my writing for patients can be found on the MSIF website ('Living well with MS as you grow older'), PKD Charity website ('ADPKD basics'), and AMMF website ('Molecular testing in cholangiocarcinoma'). An example of a research paper I co-authored can be found in BMJ Open, and a research paper I edited in Frontiers. Without exception, my work in the Medcomms environment is subject to nondisclosure agreements. However, I am happy to talk you through my range of skills and experience in this field.

What is your availability?

I have a wonderful mix of existing clients to whom I am loyal, meaning as much as 50–75% of my time is booked 1–2 months in advance. I aim to keep some time free for new clients and ad hoc requests. I am always interested to hear about new projects, so please get in touch if you have an assignment you think might interest me. I only take on work on an assignment basis and am not available for temporary or fixed-term employment contracts.

Which therapy areas do you specialize in?

I've spent a good portion of my time in recent years writing about infectious diseases (including COVID-19), kidney disease, blood cancers, solid tumours, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. I love learning about new therapy areas and find that coming to a topic afresh helps to develop easy-to-understand content that welcomes new audiences. The variety of topics and content formats I get to work with is a real perk of being freelance!

Do you have professional indemnity insurance?

Yes, HB Health Comms Limited holds professional indemnity insurance. If you would like information on the scope of this and limits, please email hannahb@hbhealthcomms.co.uk.

Are you familiar with patient information accreditation schemes such as PIF Tick?

Yes. I have previously helped organizations to strengthen their health information development processes in order to gain accreditation under the Information Standard. A number of my current clients are accredited under the new Patient Information Forum (PIF) Tick scheme. I work collaboratively to ensure the scheme's principles are not only honoured but championed. Whether or not you're seeking accreditation in the UK, the PIF guidelines are well worth following if you develop health information: I recommend checking them out.

Are you interested to hear from recruiters?

I love freelancing and the varied projects and clients it brings. I'm not looking to switch to a permanent role. I've succeeded in securing my assignments independently since I began freelancing in 2014 and don't act via recruitment agencies. However, if you're representing a client with a particular project that matches my skill set, you're always very welcome to try to tempt me!