Participation Standard

Key Documents

Participation Standard 2010-11 Assessment Reports

Information for the Public

Public information leaflet Public information leaflet (Arabic)  (العربية) Public information leaflet (Traditional Chinese) (中文)

NHS Boards need to ensure that people have a say in decisions about their care and in the development of local health services. The Participation Standard is a way of measuring how well NHS Boards do this. It is one of the commitments set out in the Scottish Government's Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan to develop a "mutual NHS" where health services meet the needs and preferences of individuals.

The Participation Standard measures three things:

1. How well NHS Boards focus on the patient – people should be involved in discussions about their own treatment and care; information about treatments and local health services should be available and easily accessible; people should be treated with dignity and respect; carers should be supported; and people should be encouraged and helped to give feedback or make complaints about services.
2. How well NHS Boards involve the public – people should be well informed about local healthcare services; supported to get involved in making decisions about changes to services; and told how their views have been taken into account.
3. How NHS Boards take responsibility for ensuring they involve the public – NHS Boards should make sure their decisions take account of the views of the public; and should encourage their own members of staff to involve the public in their work.

Copies of the individual NHS Boards’ Assessment Reports for 2010-2011 and a National Overview report, which summarises the 22 reports, are available to download from our website.

Where can I find out more?

You can download a full copy of the Participation Standard or request a printed copy by calling 0141 241 6308 or by contacting your local office. If you have any questions about the Participation Standard, you can contact:

Liz Taylor
Performance and Planning Manager
Scottish Health Council
46 Barnton Street
Stirling
FK8 1NA

Telephone: 01786 471550
Email: liz.taylor@scottishhealthcouncil.org