PRCA Census highlights confidence in growth of health PR

The healthcare comms sector is set to experience "explosive" growth in the coming months, according to a new report from the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).

Data from the latest PR Census, conducted by the PRCA and PRWeek, has indicated that the UK PR industry is now worth 12.9 billion pounds – representing a 34 percent rise since 2013.

Health was highlighted as one of the mostly hotly-tipped sectors to increase investment in PR in the coming years. 34 percent selected health as the largest growth area, behind only the technology sector with 49 percent.

Among agency chairmen or chief executives, 45 percent chose technology and 38 percent chose health as the biggest growth areas. These two sectors were previously deemed the most likely source of industry growth in the 2013 census.

Scott McKenzie, joint managing director and head of change and employee engagement at Lansons, noted that healthcare organisations are under great pressure to adapt their business models, creating a growing need for advice on reputation management, stakeholder engagement and business transformation.

He said: "Agencies need to recognise these trends and invest in the right talent to meet the changing demands."