Patient Information

---

Update - 10 July 2008

ISD have been made aware that at the request of the Cabinet Secretary, the Scottish Government Health Directorate (SGHD) have produced a revised patient guidance leaflet entitled 'Hospitals Appointment & Waiting Times Explained' which set out the principles of new ways and the move to an 18 weeks referral to treatment maximum wait. 

The SGHD now wish to have this replace the ISD leaflet issued last year. The new leaflet should be available shortly and SGHD will arrange for bulk supplies of the leaflet to be sent to NHS Boards for distribution to GP practices and hospital outpatient clinics. Margaret Duncan of SGHD is currently contacting all NHS Boards requesting contact details for distribution. There is no delivery date for these leaflets as yet, so Boards can continue using their existing material until they receive the revised leaflet.  ISD have also been advised that alternative versions - large print, Braille, ethnic languages will be available on a request only basis, also that there will not be a poster produced.

If you have any queries regarding the new leaflet, please contact Margaret Duncan at the SGHD by e-mail at Margaret.Duncan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by telephone on 0131 244 2291.

---

Contents

Leaflet and Poster
How the patient information was developed
NHS24 Health Information
Distribution to GP practices
Distribution to NHS Boards
Large print and braille
Ethnic Languages

Leaflet and Poster
The patient leaflet for New Ways 'Hospital appointments and waiting times explained' and the accompanying poster 'Help us to help you' are now available online:

'Hospital appointments and waiting times explained' - Patient leaflet 
 'Help us to help you' - Patient poster 

How the patient information was developed
The New Ways patient information was initially informed by input from range of NHS staff. Firstly via a New Ways Communications Group and secondly from feedback gathered at the New Ways conference in February 2007. 

Following the Beardmore conference, the New Ways team approached Health Rights Information Scotland (HRIS)  for advice on the draft patient leaflet. HRIS are part of the Scottish Consumer Council. HRIS produces clear, accurate, and up to date information about patient's health rights and provide direct advice and assistance to individuals and organisations who produce patient material. HRIS input was was invaluble in helping the New Ways team finalise the patient leaflet. 

HRIS recommended that the team should seek patient feedback on the leaflet. The Research Shop was commissioned to seek the views of the general public on the clarity and usefulness of the draft leaflet.  At the end of August 2007, two patient focus groups consultations were held. The groups represented both genders and a range of ages from 19 to 77 years.

The changes suggested in the feedback from the patients was incorporated into the final leaflet and the poster design.

Back to top

NHS24 Health Information
Should a patient requires more information about information contained in the New Ways leaflet, they can get further advice from the Health Information team at NHS24.  The team provides comprehensive up-to-date health information and self care advice for people in Scotland. The team will be able to offer general advice on the content of the leaflet.

Distribution to GP practices
A pack with 50 copies of the patient leaflet and a poster is being mailed to all GP practices on 19 September 2007. Practices can request further copies by e-mailing newways@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Distribution to NHS Boards
All NHS Health Boards have placed orders for leaflets or are in the process of placing orders via their New Ways leads. The first batch of leafets will start to be distributed on 19 September.  To place an order, in the first instance please speak to your local New Ways lead. Orders with details of quantities and delivery location should be e-mailed to newways@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk.   

Large print and braille
A large print and braille version of the patient leaflet are now available. 

'Hospital appointments and waiting times explained' - Large Print Patient Leaflet 

If you require copies in these formats please e-mail newways@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk.

Ethnic Languages

The New Ways patient leaflet is available electronically in the following ethnic languages:

Cantonese Translation
Polish Translation

If you require an ethnic language version of the New Ways leaflet please contact Joyce Anderson by e-mail at joyce.dalgleish@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk or telephone 0131 275 6022.

Back to top