Updated content
As part of our commitment to promote dietitians as the go-to experts on nutrition and health, we have worked with an expert public relations educator to develop a new CPD package for dietitians wishing to engage with the media.
In order to provide a thorough understanding of the modern media environment and PR approaches along with the opportunity to practice key media handling skills for interviews and pitches, we’ve developed a two-module package.
N.B This course is currently being updated and the format and content will change in advance if the next scheduled delivery date in January 2026
This first module is an online, mandatory, module that you can complete at your own pace ahead of the second module – a full day in the classroom with our expert media professional practicing your interview skills.
This package is in two parts:
1. Health Care Professionals and the Media – Skills for a Professional and Effective Relationship (online module)
This online module will help you to build your confidence when engaging with media, both reactively and proactively.
It will provide you with context and understanding of how the UK media operates; the media relations process; and how you can engage professionally and effectively with journalists across print, broadcast, and online outlets.
You will be equipped to manage pre-record and written media responses upon completion. In order to attend the practical workshop delegates must have completed the online module
2. Health Care Professionals and the Media – Pitching & Interviewing Practical Workshop (classroom course)
This one-day course builds upon the self-study participants have already completed during the ‘Health Care Professionals and the Media – Skills for a Professional and Effective Relationship’ online module. Having reviewed the changing media context, relationships with journalists, and compelling content, participants will now have a go at pitching stories and completing practice interviews. This course is suitable for those relatively new to engaging with the media and will also provide practice and feedback opportunities for those with existing media engagement experience. In order to attend the practical workshop delegates must have completed the online module
Aim
The aim of this course is to increase confidence and competence when engaging with the media, whether proactively or reactively. Through practical exercises, practice with peers, and real-time feedback, participants will develop the skills to communicate evidence-based nutrition information to the public via several media channels and platforms.
Learning outcomes
- Confidently answer live and pre-record interviews using the evidence base and in line with BDA/service policy (LO1)
- Proactively engage with journalists, influencers, and producers to pitch and follow-up stories (LO2)
- Understand the limit of your scope in the media – when you should and should not comment (LO3)
N.B that completion of the course will not qualify you as a BDA media spokesperson
About our tutor: Aimee Postle, MBA
Aimee is a former PR agency board director and now independent consultant director with complementary roles as CIPR Midlands Chair, charity trustee, mentor, team coach and university lecturer.
With almost 15 years’ PR and marketing experience, Aimee has worked with more than 100 organisations, from regional SMEs to global household names. While able to turn her hand to most sectors, Aimee has focused on supporting organisations in the environment, energy, technology, automotive and supply chain markets, engaging with UK and international media across local, regional, national and trade broadcast and publications.
Aimee is a visiting lecturer on CIPR and CIM-accredited PR and marketing programmes at Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton, as well as delivering strategic PR, marketing and leadership coaching via Aimee Postle Consulting.
At Aston University, Aimee combines her position as MBA Careers Consultant with course leadership on the Aston Edge soft skills and employability programme plus a role as Team Coach on the Aston Business Clinic and Aston Entrepreneurship degree programmes.
Aimee holds an MBA with Distinction from the University of South Wales; Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma; Chartered Institute of Public Relations Diploma and Advanced Certificate; as well as an undergraduate degree from the University of Birmingham, BA (Hons) English and History.
Upcoming dates