One Simple Thing – Communication with the NHS

“Tell us One Simple Thing that could be done to make communication with the NHS easier and better?”

Community Health Councils in Wales want to hear about your experience around communication with the NHS in all its forms– this could be about letters, a stay in hospital, clinics or GP Surgeries, or being given bad news by a doctor or nurse.

They would like to hear about good or bad experiences and get your suggestions as to One Simple Thing that would make communication with the NHS easier and better.

This survey has 5 questions and will only take a few minutes to complete.

Take the survey

The One Simple Thing campaign is being led by the Board of Community Health Councils on behalf of the 7 CHCs in Wales and is looking for patients from across Wales to give a simple suggestion for improving the way the NHS communicates.

Concerns from people across Wales has prompted the campaign. Poor communication can increase the risk of potential harm from misunderstandings, lead to a lack of confidence on the part of patients and waste valuable NHS resources.

Speaking about the issues surrounding communication in the NHS, Mark Thornton, Chair of the North Wales Community Health Council (NWCHC) said:

‘Misunderstandings in patient and provider communications arise from many factors, but particularly from the use of jargon or complex medical terms, or when information is given at inappropriate times, for example when a patient is in pain, is tired or feeling unwell and unable to concentrate.’

‘We also know that patients can find messages from health professionals providing their care to be ambiguous or unclear. Sensory issues or cultural, language and social issues can all also impact on communication in a health setting.’

Mr Thornton continued

‘Poor communication and misunderstandings in any NHS care setting is unacceptable’.

‘Whilst we hear some good examples where new ways of communicating are helping patients, the CHC movement continues to hear people’s concerns about poor communication through the work of its independent advocacy service and in its continuous engagement with patients across Wales.’

‘CHCs believe that the drive for better communication between patients and the NHS needs a reboot. We want to hear suggestions from patients based on their experience around communication in all its forms. Our aim is to hear from as many people as possible and we will be seeking out diverse and seldom heard people and communities.’

The CHC survey is running throughout the summer.

Suggestions will then be collated to form a report to be sent to the Welsh Government as well as NHS Local Health Boards and Trusts in Wales, asking them for their response and looking for their plans to improve communication.