Spreading the message
We believe that enhancing awareness of the common signs and symptoms of brain tumours among the public and the health profession will empower both groups, where appropriate, to refer children for brain scans more quickly.
We’re letting people know about the ‘HeadSmart’ campaign and its messages in various ways, including through:
The media
HeadSmart has received widespread media coverage, featuring on the Today programme [link], BBC 5 live [link], ITN news [link] and other local and national outlets.
Medical conferences and events
The ‘Diagnosis of brain tumours in children’ guideline has reached numerous GPs and other health professionals via conferences, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Annual Conference, British Neuro-Oncology Society Annual Conference, and Royal College of General Practitioners Annual Conference. We continue in our efforts to disseminate this information, including at future conferences of these groups, and at the International Symposium of Paediatric Neuro-Oncology.
Communicating with charity stakeholders
Colleagues across the country who share our vision of quicker brain tumour diagnoses have come together to learn about the campaign and receive HeadSmart materials.
A national network of HeadSmart champions
We have a network of clinicians around the country aiming to communicate with other health professionals about HeadSmart, for example presenting at meetings and events, and giving out HeadSmart materials.
We are also planning to build a network of community champions who will promote the HeadSmart Campaign in communities and link with the healthcare professional champions to help achieve our target.
Volunteer distributors
We are extremely grateful to the many members of public across the country who are helping to raise awareness by taking HeadSmart materials out in to their local area.
If you would like to help reduce the time it takes for a child to be diagnosed with a brain tumour, please see our page with suggestions on how you can get involved: http://www.headsmart.org.uk/how-you-can-contribute-to-or-get-involved-in-the-campaign/