Hi Rollo

Thanks for you comments and kind words. What we found in putting this together was that people were not so much interested in the technical information as such, more that their anxiety about what to expect was allayed and that they felt they were seen as a person. (for some too much technical information caused more anxiety)

You are right, different people will ask for different information, and depending on who they are speaking to, that care giver may not be able to answer all their questions. What we have found in our own experience is asking people who have experienced x,y,or z and found it overwhelming/anxiety provoking, what would have helped.

There are many people attending out patients for many reasons, sometimes for treatments that last for hours. Using social reporting, involving students in gathering views is one way to find out what kind of things may be helpful. From this, perhaps a friendly ‘pathway’ diagram could be created for others, which could be used for people in future.

Activities like this, involving the staff in the process can be really rewarding for all involved.

Maybe it would be worth organising a session where we can get together with others interested to discuss? as its finding the balance between improving people’s experience of care and ensuring those offering care don’t feel they have even more pressures put on them (or worse feel criticised) this is not about being critical but learning what may work better for everyone concerned

kind regards
Hilda