It’s OK to Ask campaign launch
Date of release: 31 January 2025
A new campaign aimed at empowering patients to ask questions about their treatment has been launched today (31 January) at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
The new initiative, ‘It’s OK to Ask,’ helps patients find out more about their care so they can better understand what is being recommended to them.
It prompts three main questions for patients to consider and ask staff:
- What is my main problem?
- What do I need to do?
- Why is it important I do this?
Other supporting materials, such as posters and bookmarks, will be given out highlighting potential questions they may wish to ask surrounding discharge, medication and treatment.
Garry Perry, Associate Director Patient Voice (Experience) at the Trust, said the campaign will help patients and healthcare staff to have positive conversations about treatment.
He said: “This initiative underscores the importance of fostering open communication between our healthcare teams and patients.
“By encouraging patients to ask questions about their care, we aim to empower them with knowledge, build their confidence, and ultimately improve their health outcomes.
“We also want patients to know they shouldn’t feel embarrassed if they don’t understand something, and they shouldn’t leave their appointment or consultation feeling confused about what’s the plan is.
“We appreciate this can be even more challenging when patients have sensory difficulties or English is not their first language. This campaign will support staff, with additional leaflets and information, to take necessary action to help our patients understand.”
ENDS
- For further information, please email amy.downward@nhs.net
