Technology

2021 - Consultation response - NHS data strategy
We welcomed the proposals for the NHS's data strategy, but urged that it be developed and delivered in partnership with patients, with greater transparency and engagement to ensure that patients maintain confidence in how the NHS uses their data.

2019 - Consultation response - 'Digital first' primary care
This consultation proposed combining solutions for introducing new digital models of primary care with solving the problem of areas with insufficient doctors; we questioned whether this would be workable.

Latest

Take your chance to shape the future of medical practice

The General Medical Council (GMC) is consulting on an updated version of Good medical practice, its overarching ethical guidance for all doctors working in the UK. Neil Tester, deputy chair of the GMC’s Good medical practice advisory forum, explains why it’s important for patients to have their say.
Snapshot of health professionals' attitudes to shared decision making

Our latest report, Shared decision making from the perspective of clinicians and healthcare professionals, is based on the views of more than 1,400 professionals. We highlight our findings in this infographic.
Patients ability to work with health professionals undermined by current crisis in the NHS

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals practice and support shared decision making. But, as our latest reports lays out, there are many obstacles preventing them for working this way with patients on a daily basis.
Health professionals back patient involvement in their own care, Patients Association survey finds

But workforce crisis prevents patients from participating fully in decisions about their care

New report demonstrates the importance of working with patients to reduce digital health inequalities

The latest report by the Patient Coalition for AI, Data and Digital Tech in Health, Putting Patients First, shows how important it is to work with patients who are digitally excluded.
Putting patients at the heart of tech innovation

The Patients Association is supporting the Digital Health campaign launched in March 2022.
The long road to recovery

The number of people waiting for hospital treatment is now 6.1 million, including 300,000 who have been waiting a year. We analyse the elective recovery plan and the integration white paper from a patient point of view.
Act now to protect the NHS

The Patients Association calls on Sajid Javid to prevent ‘catastrophic winter’ in a letter to the Health Secretary
Social care changes: how will the new charging system work?

What is the 'cap' and the 'floor' in the new plans for charging for social care? We give an explanation.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Delays and cancellations

Most respondents to our survey had experienced delayed or cancelled appointments.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Staying away from care?

We found that it was more common during the pandemic for patients to try to access care but struggle than to stay away voluntarily, although both happened.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: NHS 111

Our survey showed a modest increase in use of NHS 111 during the pandemic, and a mix of patient experiences - more positive than negative, but still with some cause for concern.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Access to services

Patients told us about the difficulties they encountered accessing care during the pandemic, with GP services a particular problem.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Vaccinations

Patient feedback about the vaccination programme has been very positive, with most respondents to our survey finding appointments easy to arrange and reassuring to experience.