Van will be handling the PR for Nuffield's 32 private not-for-profit hospitals, while Glasshouse will focus on PR for the Nuffield group. Van and Glasshouse joined forces to beat Lexis PR, Shine and The SPA Way in a competitive pitch. The new appointment ends Citigate Dewe Rogerson's three-year incumbency.
Last year Nuffield Hospitals had a turnover of £506m. In June, the name was changed to Nuffield Health as part of a rebranding exercise.
In addition to hospital services, the business now includes Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centres (formerly Cannons Health Clubs), Courtneys Sports & Leisure Centres and specialist health assessment centres.
Van will handle all media enquiries. It will target potential patients and support Nuffield Health's hospitals with individual campaigns on an ad-hoc basis.
Glasshouse will look after Nuffield's corporate branding and reputation management. The agency will concentrate on communicating to stakeholders the benefits of Nuffield being a charity.
Van will report to consumer marketing manager Anoushka Pletts, while Glasshouse will report to Philippa Cox in the external affairs team.