
Outpatient appointments
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.
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.
Things to think about when discussing your care options:
Page last reviewed: 3 March 2025