New patient information leaflet process

Please be aware that we have a new process for the review and approval of patient information leaflets (from January 2021). The patient information group has been established, featuring members of the Patient Panel and the communications team.

The group review patient information leaflets each month – please ensure that you take the time to read through and follow the steps below. Please submit the leaflets at least three months prior to their review date, in order for the process below to be completed in time for when you require them.

What you need to do

Before sending your patient information leaflet to the communications team, please ensure that you have:

1. Used the correct branded template and followed the structure of this template – You can find the correct templates on the patient information leaflet Alex page. Please remember:

To use Arial font, size 12 Headings should be in NHS Blue (RGB: 0/94/184). You should use sentence case throughout (including headings). You should use bold, NHS Blue for emphasis (not the underline, highlighting tool etc.).

2. Used plain English.

3. Checked that you have clearly explained all medical terms that patients may not understand and detailed the risks and benefits of the procedure. 4. Sent your document out to your colleagues for extensive peer review.

The process

1. Once you have followed the above steps, please email your patient information leaflet to paht. communications@nhs.net.

2. The communications team will review the content and make any initial amendments required from their perspective e.g. spelling/ grammar/plain English. The communications team will then return the leaflet to you with this feedback.

3. You must then complete the standard appendix pages, including the meeting cover sheet (you can download this on the patient information page from the communications hub on Alex) and send the leaflet to your Healthcare Group’s patient safety and quality team (contact details are on Alex).

4. Your Healthcare Group’s patient safety and quality team will then refer this leaflet to their next patient safety and quality meeting, if they do not have any initial requested amendments. Alternatively, they will provide you with feedback for you to address before the leaflet is referred to this meeting.

5. If your leaflet is approved by your Healthcare Group’s patient safety and quality team, they will refer the leaflet to the communications team, for review at the next patient information group meeting. Alternatively, they will provide you with feedback for you to address before the leaflet is referred to this meeting.