Patient Information Forum

What Patient Information Forum does

Patient Information Forum (PIF) is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1203984) operating as the independent membership body for health information professionals. Founded in 1997 and headquartered across registered offices in London (93 Tabernacle Street, EC2A 4BA) and a correspondence address in Hove, PIF runs the PIF TICK — the only independently-assessed quality mark for print and digital health information in the UK — alongside a cross-sector membership base of 300+ organisations and 1,800+ individuals spanning NHS Trusts, health charities, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, and independent medical writers and content designers.

PIF's core products are: (i) the PIF TICK certification scheme, an annual-assessed quality mark built on 10 criteria covering production process, plain language, user involvement, evidence sourcing and feedback, which certified organisations can display on health information materials; (ii) tiered membership (Individual at £125/year, Non-Commercial organisational at £330, Commercial organisational at £648, and bespoke Partner memberships for up to 50 staff seats); (iii) CPD-accredited online training workshops (Writing Health Information, Health and Digital Literacy, GenAI for Health Information Producers) and e-learning courses; and (iv) a research and resource library including the Health and Digital Literacy Survey (currently in its 2025/26 edition), the Inclusive Language Matters poster, the Health Literacy Matters infographic, and the Health and Digital Literacy Charter. PIF TICK is supported by a Steering Group, annual re-assessment cycles, and complaint moderation.

The business model combines recurring subscription revenue (memberships and PIF TICK certification renewals), fee-for-service training and workshops, anonymous sponsorship from 14+ pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations (ABPI, AstraZeneca, Biogen, GSK, Ipsen, J&J, MSD, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Otsuka, Pfizer, Sobi, Amicus Therapeutics, OVH, Ipsos, ATC), and bespoke professional services (resource review, strategic co-production, bespoke training). PIF is staffed by a small team of 5–10 employees (Director Sophie Randall, PIF TICK Manager Dan Wills, Communications, Member Services, Engagement, and Website functions), is governed by a board of trustees and an Advisory Group, and operates primarily as a UK-focused body with limited international reach.

Name

Patient Information Forum

Legal name

Patient Information Forum

Website

http://www.pifonline.org.uk/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PIF is a UK membership charity and standards body for health information professionals. It operates the PIF TICK quality mark and delivers certification, training, and guidance to NHS organisations, health charities, pharmaceutical companies, and freelance writers across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health information standards and certification

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

akta.pro primary industry

Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (CLIA/CAP/ISO) for Labs (HLACAMAH)

Keywords

• Health information certification
• Membership organisation
• CPD accredited training
• Patient information quality
• Health literacy standards

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: PIF generates revenue primarily through annual membership subscriptions. Individual membership is priced at £125 inc VAT per year. Non-commercial organisational membership is £330 per year. Commercial organisational membership is £648 per year. Partner membership is priced on request. These subscriptions provide access to guidance documents, webinars, discounted training, and member services.
2. Training and events: PIF delivers CPD-accredited training workshops, webinars, and e-learning courses for a delegate fee. Training events range from free member-only webinars to paid multi-day workshops priced at £266-£446 per person. E-learning courses are priced at £75-£200 per person. This is a secondary revenue stream supplementing membership subscriptions.
3. PIF TICK certification fees: Organisations and individuals pay for assessment and certification under the PIF TICK quality mark, which includes membership benefits. PIF TICK membership is priced on request for organisations and includes annual renewal fees.
4. Sponsorship: PIF receives sponsorship from pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations including ABPI, AstraZeneca, Biogen, GSK, Ipsen, Johnson & Johnson, MSD, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sobi, and others. The source explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PIF is a UK membership organisation that sells tiered annual memberships, the PIF TICK independent quality mark certification for health information, and CPD-accredited training workshops and e-learning courses for health information professionals. It also delivers bespoke professional services (training, strategic co-production, resource review) and produces consensus guidance, research surveys, and resources for organisations producing health information. Revenue is generated through recurring membership subscriptions, certification assessment fees, paid training, and corporate sponsorship from pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations.

Product overview

Patient Information Forum (PIF) operates as a membership-based organization offering a portfolio of health information certification, training, and professional development services rather than a unified software platform. The core offering is the PIF TICK quality mark—the only independently-assessed certification for print and digital health information—alongside organizational and individual membership tiers providing access to guidance, webinars, and discounted training. Training products include online workshops (Writing Health Information, Health and Digital Literacy, GenAI for Health Information Producers) and e-learning courses (Health Information Review Process, PIF TICK Competent Scheme). Resource products include research surveys, infographics, and webinars on topics including AI, diversity, and disinformation. Membership pricing ranges from £125 annually (individual) to £648 (commercial organization), with premium Partner Membership available for large organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PIF TICK: The only independently-assessed quality mark for print and digital health information. A certification scheme for health information producers.

Products and services

• PIF TICK Certification Annual independently-assessed quality mark certification for organisations producing print and digital health information, with assessment against 10 criteria covering production process, plain language, user involvement, evidence sourcing, and feedback mechanisms. Certified organisations display the PIF TICK logo on their health information materials.
• Individual PIF Membership Annual subscription at £125 (inc VAT) for freelancers and individuals with sole responsibility for health information. Includes access to guidance documents, webinars, discounted training, the weekly PIF Aware newsletter, the Ask the Membership service, and free quarterly freelance meet-ups.
• Organisational PIF Membership Annual subscription for organisations producing health information, with Non-Commercial tier at £330 (charities, NHS Trusts, statutory bodies) and Commercial tier at £648. Provides full member benefits including expert guidance, team access to resources, discounted training, and exclusive events.
• PIF Partner Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Health literacy policy adoption: 26% of organisations now have a health literacy policy in place, with 15% in development (41% total), up from 13% in 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ABPI (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerABPI provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• Amicus TherapeuticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmicus Therapeutics provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• ATC (Association of Translation Companies)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerATC provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• AstraZenecaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAstraZeneca provides sponsorship support to PIF. AstraZeneca has also provided sponsorship specifically towards the PIF Health and Digital Literacy Survey 2025/26 report, with no involvement in its creation or organisation.
• BiogenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBiogen provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• CAHN (Caribbean African Health Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAHN is a member and partner of PIF. Representatives from CAHN speak at PIF events, including on topics of diversity and inclusion in health information teams.
• EverwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEverway provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• GSKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGSK provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• HIFA (Healthcare Information For All)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIFA is a partner organisation of PIF working towards shared goals of improving access to quality healthcare information globally.
• IpsenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIpsen provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• IpsosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIpsos provides sponsorship support to PIF. Ipsos data on AI and health information is cited in PIF's Health literacy matters infographic (2026).
• Johnson & JohnsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJohnson & Johnson provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• LGBT FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBT Foundation is a member and partner of PIF. Representatives from LGBT Foundation speak at PIF events on diversity and inclusion in health information.
• Macmillan Cancer SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMacmillan Cancer Support is a major PIF member and partner. Macmillan staff contribute to the PIF TICK Steering Group and PIF's governance. Service Manager (Editorial) Selina Corkery is a member of the PIF TICK Steering Group.
• MSDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMSD provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• National VoicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Voices is a coalition of health and social care charities and a key partner of PIF. PIF cites National Voices research in its Health literacy matters infographic.
• NICEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNICE is a member and partner of PIF, representing the UK's regulatory body for health and care. NICE's involvement provides credibility and alignment with national health standards.
• NovartisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNovartis provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• Novo NordiskminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNovo Nordisk provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• OtsukaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOtsuka provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• OVH (One Vision Health)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOVH provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• PfizerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPfizer provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• PRSB (Professional Record Standards Body)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRSB is a partner of PIF working on health information standards and record-keeping standards in the UK healthcare sector.
• Self-Care ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-Care Forum is a member and partner of PIF, working to promote self-care and accessible health information.
• SobiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSobi provides sponsorship support to PIF. PIF explicitly states these organisations have no influence or involvement in the content, design or development of any PIF activities.
• Content Design LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent Design London co-developed the e-learning course 'Managing your health information review process' with PIF. The course is delivered by Dan Wills (PIF) and Nia Campbell (Content Design London). This is a product development partnership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Voices: Coalition of UK health and social care charities. Functions as a strategic PIF partner and is highly comparable as a membership body representing health charities, with overlapping membership and policy interests in patient information and health literacy.
• NICE: UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Both a PIF member and a key sector standard-setter; comparable as authoritative UK health-standards body, with much broader scope across clinical guidance and technology appraisals.
• ABPI (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry): UK pharma trade association that sponsors PIF. Comparable as a UK membership body operating in the healthcare and life sciences sector, though focused on industry representation rather than patient-information quality.
• Patients Association (UK): Long-standing UK patient advocacy charity working on patient experience and information quality. Comparable to PIF in patient-information focus and UK charity positioning, but broader in scope across rights, safety, and complaints.

Direct peers

• Center for Plain Language: US-based non-profit promoting plain language and clear communication through training, awards, and advocacy. Closely comparable to PIF in mission (plain language and accessible information) with a different geographic focus.
• Health Information For All (HIFA): Global health-information advocacy network cited as a PIF strategic partner. Mission-aligned on improving access to reliable healthcare information, particularly relevant for international expansion considerations.
• Plain English Campaign: UK-based organization running the Crystal Mark, an independently-assessed quality mark for clear communication. Closest functional analogue to PIF TICK, operating in a similar standards-and-certification model for plain language across documents, though PIF specializes further in health.

Emerging players

• Cochrane: Global non-profit producing systematic reviews and evidence-based health information. Comparable in the broader health-information-quality ecosystem and overlapping on evidence-sourcing standards (a PIF TICK criterion).
• Institute for Healthcare Advancement: US-based non-profit focused on health literacy, plain-language health materials, and provider training. Functionally similar to PIF in promoting health literacy and accessible patient communication, with a US rather than UK base.

Others

• The Beryl Institute: Global community of practice advancing patient experience in healthcare. Adjacent to PIF in cross-sector healthcare community-building and standards/practice dissemination, though focused on experience rather than information quality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pifonline
• Facebookfacebook.com/patientinformationforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/patientinformationforum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Patient Information Forum