Throughout October, NHS Lanarkshire is marking Health Literacy Month to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring that health information is accessible and understandable for all.
With research showing that one-quarter of the Scottish population faces occasional challenges with literacy, it is vital that healthcare professionals across the region take steps to make medical information easier to comprehend.
Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services to make informed health decisions. Individuals with lower health literacy are at greater risk of experiencing poorer health outcomes, higher hospitalisation rates and increased mortality. In NHS Lanarkshire, this can lead to repeated appointments, sicker patients and higher healthcare costs.
Amanda Minns, head of evidence, explains: “Health literacy affects us all. It’s crucial that we make health information as clear and straightforward as possible, especially for those who may struggle with understanding complex medical details. By simplifying our communication and focusing on patient-centred care, we can help reduce confusion and improve health outcomes.”
During Health Literacy Month, NHS Lanarkshire staff are encouraged to:
- Access the health literacy toolkit and engage with the resources;
- Engage with the Evidence Team for advice on improving patient leaflets, signage and other communication materials;
- Share and support messages on social media to spread the word about the importance of health literacy;
- Participate in training sessions or request bespoke training for their teams to better understand how to communicate with patients more effectively;
- Add health literacy discussions to team meetings throughout the month.
With small changes in how information is presented and explained, healthcare providers can make a big difference in patient outcomes and ensure that everyone can make informed decisions about their health.
For further information, please email Amanda Minns, head of evidence at: amanda.minns@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
