Copyediting
Professional editing for content that's accurate, consistent and delivers its message every time
Clear, accurate health and medical content that your audience understands and trusts
Health and medical content affects real people and guides life-changing clinical decisions, so clarity and accuracy matter.
I specialise in editing health and medical communications for healthcare and research organisations, helping to refine complex content so it's clear, consistent and professionally presented.
Health and medical content often involves technical language, multiple contributors and detailed evidence. This can create opportunities for errors and inconsistencies to creep in, and even small mistakes can affect readability, credibility and trust.
Professional copyediting addresses these issues through a careful, detailed review of your content. As an experienced editor with over 20 years’ experience in health communications and publishing, I improve clarity, consistency and accuracy. I also bring a strategic understanding of how language and tone shape effective communication with your audience.
What copyediting involves
Copyediting typically involves a review of the following aspects:
Clarity and flow: shaping sentences so the writing is clear and easy to read, without altering the author's voice.
Consistency: checking terminology, abbreviations, tone and formatting throughout.
Style: applying appropriate style guidelines across the document.
Accuracy: addressing errors, unclear phrasing and inconsistencies in facts and details.
Grammar and usage: checking spelling, punctuation and usage issues in line with the preferred style.
References: ensuring in-text citations match the reference list and any references are correctly formatted.
Audience and readability: ensuring the content is clear, engaging and appropriate for the target audience.
Queries and comments: raising appropriate queries where clarification or further review may be needed.
Incorporating plain language
For patient and public-facing materials, my approach is informed by plain language and health literacy principles, including familiarity with NHS and Patient Information Forum guidance.
Visit my Plain language editing and rewriting page for more details about this service.
Types of content I work on
Public health and public information content
health promotion and public health campaigns
website content
impact case studies
patient stories and case studies
Patient information and education materials
information leaflets and guides (standalone or series)
web content explaining conditions, treatments or services
Professional education materials
e-learning modules
clinical guidelines and summaries
workshop or seminar materials
Research and policy communication
evidence-based reports (evidence reviews, case studies, annual reports)
policy briefs
conference proceedings
editorial articles for media or academic publication
After the edit
Following a copyedit, you’ll typically receive:
a revised document with tracked changes and margin comments
one round of follow-up queries or clarification
Additional review rounds can be arranged depending on project scope.
If your content needs more work to reorganise sections, develop its key arguments or improve flow, it may benefit from structural editing before copyediting. Visit my Content development and structural editing page for more details about this service.
Contact me for editing services
A professional editor turns good writing into clear, confident and credible communication, so your message makes the impact you intend.
Alongside my professional editorial training, I bring:
Professional-level membership of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading
experience in health research communications, publishing and medical education
experience in plain language principles
an academic background in biological sciences and public health
Expert editing –
clear communication
Clients I work with
My clients include healthcare and health research organisations, universities and charities.
I mainly work on projects that promote and support research, evidence-informed practice and public understanding of health and healthcare.
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