Shared decision making is about supporting conversations between patients and clinicians that will allow patients to make better decisions about their care and treatment.

It's a joint process that involves discussing treatment options - including doing nothing - based on evidence and the person's individual preferences, beliefs and values.

The discussions and information sharing help the patient to understands the risks, benefits and possible consequences of the different options.

You can find out more at  (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and 

The Trust use the ‘BRAN’ (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives and Nothing) method to achieve this. 

NHS England provides  for certain health conditions.

Frequently asked questions

We encourage patients to come to appointments with any questions they have written down to help make sure the appointment time is used effectively.

While patients have the right to ask questions and make decisions about what care meets their needs based on the benefits, risks, alternatives and ‘do nothing’ options, it is up to the professional to offer suitable treatments.

The BRAN method

Things to think about when discussing your care options:

  • The benefits of treatment are...
  • The reason this is the best available treatment is...
  • This is what you will gain from the treatment...
  • The chance of the treatment being successful is...

  • The chance of the treatment not working is...
  • The possible side effects of the treatment are...
  • The possible complications of the treatment are...
  • The treatment might affect your quality of life by...

  • Alternatives to this treatment are...
  • The other treatment options are...
  • The benefits and risks of the other treatment options are...
  • This treatment option should be used first because...

  • The outcome of doing nothing may be...
  • If I don't have treatment, my condition may change in this way...
  • My condition will or will not be more difficult to treat later...