A new patient experience programme that will enable patient feedback on NHS treatment to be fed into service improvements was launched today by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.
As part of ‘Better Together: Scotland’s Patient Experience Programme,’ Sturgeon said a new research centre will be created to co-ordinate feedback of how patients find their experience of NHS services. The centre will also develop guidance for health boards on how to undertake surveys of patients and carers, analyse and help distribute the results of surveys carried out by health boards and GP practices and help health boards and GP practices to use that information to improve services.
Launching the programme Sturgeon said it was an “important milestone in achieving our vision of an NHS with patients truly at its centre.”
She also unveiled a new patient leaflet that will be distributed to hospitals and GP surgeries called, ‘It’s OK to Ask,’ which contains a series of tips and questions that a patient can ask during an appointment with a doctor or nurse.
She said: "The patient-friendly leaflets and information I am also unveiling today are further demonstrations of our commitment to creating a mutual NHS in which patients and members of the public fully participate.
"It's OK to Ask is the kind of innovative development we will see more of thanks to the patient experience programme.
She said that she wants to see patients being involved in every aspect of decisions about their care.
"NHS boards across Scotland do involve patients in decision-making, but Better Together will help us ensure that best practice is shared across Scotland.
"I am confident that this new national programme will lead to real improvements in the quality of local healthcare and patients' experiences."
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