We will always keep you informed and involved in decisions about your health and care services, and take into account your wishes and needs.
What does this mean for me?
- We will give you clear and open communication about your care and treatment at the right time;
- If you have to wait to go to hospital or to use services for your treatment, we will tell you how long you are likely to have to wait;
- We will not make decisions about your care and treatment without involving you;
- We will tell you what the proposed care and treatment will involve, including risks and benefits, and we will tell you what may happen if you do not have the treatment;
- We will support you to take part in discussions and decisions about your health and treatment, and give you the information you need to help you make decisions about the care and treatment that is available;
- We will encourage you to ask questions about the plan of care and treatment. You can ask for a second opinion at any time before you make a decision;
- If you are unable to make a decision for yourself, staff who make decisions on your behalf will consider what is in your best interests. They will take account of:
- The best clinical option;
- What you have said in the past about how you want to be treated. This may be in the form of a document such as an Advance Directive or a letter of wishes (a written statement about medical treatment should the person be unable to communicate them to a doctor);
- The views of others such as a parent, guardian, or other person who has responsibility for you if you are a child;
- The views of anyone who has legal authority to make a decision on your behalf. We will always keep you informed and involved in decisions about your health and care services, and take into account your wishes and needs;
- You do not have to accept the treatment, examination or test offered to you;
- We will tell you the names of the staff responsible for your care and how to contact them if you need to;
- We will tell you about support that is available from within the NHS or other relevant services in the community which may be provided by the voluntary sector or other organisations.
Ways you can help us
- Be open and honest with us in your communications so that together we can make the right decisions to meet your needs;
- Take part in discussions and decisions about your care and treatment;
- Tell us if you need more time to consider the options, or need more information to help you decide;
- Tell a member of staff if you do not understand the information we give you;
- Let us know if you require support from family members, carers or advocates to help you make decisions about your health care;
- Tell us about any changes in your health so we have all the information needed to make decisions about your care and treatment;
- Tell us, along with your GP, dentist, optician or any clinic you attend, about any changes to your address, landline phone number/mobile phone number or e-mail so that we can easily contact you about your treatment or appointments.