Support for patients and carers
Use the section below find answers to some of the common practical challenges that you may be facing.
Simply click on the blue panel and it will expand to give more information on the relevant section.
Diet and nutrition in palliative care
Awaiting text from Nutritionist - will become a team.
Realistic medicine
One of the main aims of Realistic Medicine is for people using healthcare services, and their families, to feel empowered to discuss their treatment fully with healthcare professionals, including the possibility that a suggested treatment might come with side effects or even negative outcomes. Everyone should feel able to ask a healthcare professional why they have suggested a test, treatment or procedure, and all decisions about a person’s care should be made jointly between the individual and their healthcare team.
Shared discussion and decision making
Realistic medicine puts shared decision making at the heart of healthcare and empowers the patient in decisions about their own care. You will often hear the question ‘What matters to you’ as people around you and involved in your care try to match your care with what is most important to you.
Reducing harm and waste
Overuse of diagnostic tests and treatments can actually lead to harm which is why realistic medicine offers a different approach aimed at reducing the harm and waste which may come from over-treatment. It also seeks the best evidence available regarding treatments to be able to answer the question ‘Will this benefit this person?' It does not shy away from difficult truths but is open and honest about outcomes and encourages the patient to ask the BRAN questions.
What are the Benefits?
What are the Risks?
What are the Alternatives?
What if I do Nothing?
Learn more about Realistic medicine on the Realistic Medicine website. https://www.realisticmedicine.scot/
Planning ahead, symptom control and the role of pharmacy
Awaiting sign off
Inpatient care
Awating sign off
Finances
Awaiting sign off
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format e.g. Braille, audio, large print, BSL, Easy Read please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team via the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
You can also find health related information on many topics in an Easy Read format on nhsinform.scot.