Why HSJ.co.uk is changing

Posted by:

25 November, 2009

From 4 December only subscribers to HSJ magazine will be able to access the full range of content on HSJ.co.uk.

Until now our web services have been available to all-comers. This followed the prevailing web wisdom that the way to build a successful site was to welcome everyone - the higher the traffic the better.

We now feel the time is right to make HSJ.co.uk an integral part of our subscription package. In the coming weeks we plan to expand our online services - all to be included in your subscription for the same price. For example, we will soon start providing summaries of the key action points from HSJ’s numerous conferences in the Resource Centre section.

If you are already an HSJ subscriber please follow this link to ‘activate’ your subscription. If you are not and would like to to take advantage of our ‘three months for the price of two’ offer, please click here.

Readers' comments (12)

Anonymous | 26-Nov-2009 12:19 pm
As part of your new package, I suggest you have a web only subscription. I never read the magazine, or rarely, and it seems a waste of newsprint
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Anonymous | 27-Nov-2009 7:00 pm
Agree, I am not interested in newsprint and much prefer the online version to dip in and out of. I would not welcome a hard copy, a choice would be preferable and environmentally responsible.
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Paul Tovey | 27-Nov-2009 7:22 pm
Hard copy is not convenient any more - though I think HSJ does create some quality reports and its possible it might be able to create a subscription end of its operation for more specialised articles ..

On the other hand there are more people commenting now and I imagine some of the super-pyramid exec classes are not happy about that - they will welcome HSJ going behind closed doors .. They are always closing down information - its in the nature of their culture of control ....

So HSJ by default is going that way too eh ... That's sad ... An FOIA culture that is fought against by the corporate NHS class in an information age where old class models of who knows what privileged information wish to prevail ....
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Paul Tovey | 27-Nov-2009 7:31 pm
Benefits and Work

Steve Donnisons Website and operation works on the basis of some free articles and others that are subscription only ......

See :

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

Hey he even has a dog in his header design ...

Personally I've always thought HSJ should have a cat in theirs....

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Paul Tovey | 1-Dec-2009 9:49 am
http://my.nowpublic.com/culture/uk-health-service-journal-goes-subscription-only-full-access

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Anonymous | 3-Dec-2009 1:07 pm
Don't do it !

HSJ must be saved for the people and Anons everywhere..

Online subscription is the way ....Keep the price down ..

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Anonymous | 3-Dec-2009 4:43 pm
HSJ will regret this.
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Anonymous | 4-Dec-2009 8:40 am
Whatever the prevailing wisdom is in online publishing circles at the moment the enduring 'real world' reality is that information wants to be free or at least cheaper to the end user and brand loyalty can no longer be taken for granted.

Unfortunately, the HSJ seems to believe that targetting a subscription only service at a smaller number of already well informed , influential white male decision makers within the state ran NHS, Britain's largest employer, is the way forward whereas a closer look at the the HSJ's Alexa stats paints a rather bleaker objective picture of the HSJ's failure to reach out and connect with traditionally excluded groups within NHS management , workforce and patient base, including women, and that's worrying because we're all shareholders in the NHS and therefore entitled to see NHS resources used in the most effecient way and that includes monetizing the provision of information to commercial interests like the HSJ when push comes to shove and promoting equality through wider understanding and participation in the NHS decision making process. That's certainly how most of us want to see information sourced from public services used.

For HSJ to pretend there was no viable commercial alternative to launching a subscription service is ludicrous for a journal covering the management and events and issues arising out of the day to day operation of the largest public employer in europe. The stats speak for themselves , the HSJ has made little effort to increase traffic never mind explore new pathways to monetize its service in ways that add value to its business model and of course the service if lives off, the NHS. Instead of embracing that potential the HSJ has surrendered to the same old NHS corporate dependency culture dooming itself in the process to being more or less forced to write and publish the uncritical pap its blinkered , already over pampered and shrinking white male managerial audience wants to read.

Well done on vanishing up your own niche on publicly paid for subscriptions HSJ and goodbye.
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Anonymous | 4-Dec-2009 1:16 pm
Its a shame as everyone has been able to access well informed aticles regardless of position. I think people will go elsewhere....
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Geoffrey Smith | 4-Dec-2009 3:26 pm
I'm sad at HSJ's decision. I'm sure that other people,like me, volunteers trying to improve health and social care, have found the HSJ online service invaluable in presenting an informed and up to date stance in our discussions with commissioners and providers. Paying for a full HSJ subscription is beyond us. Public and patient engagement and involvement will be poorer as a consequence, no doubt inintended, of HSJ's decision.
Geoffrey Smith
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Anonymous | 4-Dec-2009 3:54 pm
If only access to subscriber only content worked!!
I am a fully paid subscriber and in spite of numerous attempts, cannot access articles that I am paying for! Customer services at emap don't answer their phone and you cannot leave a message as the mailbox is full - of complaints no doubt.
I am sorely tempted to cancel my subscription - exactly the response the HSJ does not need...
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Editor's reply
We're very sorry about the difficulties you've had. Customer services will be in touch right away.
Anonymous | 6-Dec-2009 10:30 pm
Also finally tried to activate the subscription today using the 10 figure subscription number - and it fails. Just another thing I have to remember to do this week. If I do.
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Editor's reply
Sorry for the inconvenience. Customer services will be in touch right away.