A new national campaign being rolled out across NHS Lanarkshire is encouraging patients to ask questions about their care and treatment
The ‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign supports patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey and centres around four key questions that patients should consider asking to understand more about their treatment and the options available to them.
Dr Babu Mukhopadhyay, Consultant Physician and Clinical Lead Realistic Medicine, said: “It is vital that people in Lanarkshire understand about their own healthcare and any tests or treatment that affects them.
“The “Its OK To Ask” campaign empowers and prompts patients and carers to ask four questions every time they meet a healthcare professional to request treatment or a test. Being better prepared and informed means patients get the most appropriate care that’s right for them.”
The four key questions that patients should ask during one of their consultations or any conversation about their health and care are:
- What are the benefits of my treatment?
- Are there any risk with my treatment?
- Are there any alternative treatments I can try?
- What if I choose to not have treatment?
“Asking questions about your treatment options can be overwhelming and even scary. This campaign emphasizes the importance of asking about any aspect of your treatment so you fully understatement and are happy with your treatment plan”, said Karen Morrow, NHS Lanarkshire’s Realistic Medicine Programme Manager.
She also added: “If anyone is unsure about any aspect of their treatment ‘It’s OK to Ask’.”
There is more information about the campaign and access to resources for patients and healthcare professionals on the NHS Inform website at https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/its-ok-to-ask/
