Biomedical discourse is a characteristic feature of contemporary societies where stakeholders in the field constantly endeavour in media production practices to shape the framing of healthcare. While these practices have emphasised the role of media institutions in shaping the public communication of health, fewer questions and answers have been raised about the underlying logic of healthcare at work. Aiming to contribute towards redressing this imbalance, this presentation reflects on the biomedical discourse stemming from the medical series Geordie Hospital, which the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust deployed through a hashtag over several weeks in 2022 during and after the programme aired. It will be argued that the integration of a television show into the trust's communication on Twitter (now X) provides a valuable context of observation to examine the discursive construction processes and the formation of ad hoc publics central to contemporary biomedical discourse
BIO:
Dr Gabriel Moreno is an Assistant Professor at Northumbria University's School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries. His research explores public communication in healthcare, international migration, and politics, with a focus on mediatisation and discourse analysis. Dr Moreno has held leadership roles in programmes such as the MSc Mass Communication Management and BA Media and Journalism, where he teaches modules including Media Methodologies and Mass Communication Case Study. Previously, as a Reuters correspondent in Mexico City, he reported on pharmaceutical, automotive, and air travel industries, combining journalistic and analytical skills that now inform his academic work.
