Communication, partnership and teamwork

Communication, partnership and teamwork

1. Communicate Effectively

   • Listen to patients
     • Take account of their views
     • Respond honestly to their questions
   • Give patients information they want or need to know in a way they understand
     • Make sure that arrangements are made wherever possible to meet patients' language and communication needs
   • Be considerate to those close to the patient
     • Be sensitive and responsive in giving them information and support
   • Be readily accessible to patients and colleagues seeking information, advice or support when you are on duty

2. Working collaboratively with colleagues

   • Work collaboratively with colleagues
     • Respect their skills and contributions
   • Treat colleagues fairly and with respect
   • Be aware of how your behaviour may influence others within and outside the team
   • Take up any post you have formally accepted
     • Work your contractual notice period before leaving a job
       • Unless the employer has reasonable time to make other arrangements

3. Teaching, training, supporting and assessing

   • Be prepared to contribute to teaching and training doctors and students
   • Make sure all the staff you manage have appropriate supervision
   • Be honest and objective when writing references and appraising or assessing the performance of colleagues (including locums and students)
     • References must include all information relevant to your colleagues's competence, perfomance and conduct
   • Be willing to take on a mentoring role for more junior doctors and other healthcare professionals
   • Support colleagues who have problems with their performance or health
     • BUT always put patient safety first at all times

4. Continuity and coordination of care

   • Contribute to the safe transfer of patients between healthcare and health and social care providers
     • You must:
       • Share all relevant information with colleagues involved in your patient's care (within and outside the team)
         • This includes when you hand over care as you go off duty
         • This includes when you delegate care or refer patients to other health or social care providers
       • Check where practical, that a named clinician or team has taken over responsibility when your role in providing care to a patient has ended
         • This may be particularly important for patients with impaired capacity or who are vulnerable for other reasons
   • When you do not provide your patients' care yourself, you must be satisfied that the person providing care has the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience

5. Establish and maintain partnerships with patients

   • Be polite and considerate
   • Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity and privacy
   • Treat patients fairly and with respect regardless of their life choices and beliefs
   • Work in partnership with patients
     • Share with them the information they will need to make decisions about their care. This incudes:
       • Any other information patients need if they are asked to agree to be involved in teaching or research
       • Their condition, its likely progression and the options for treatment as well as associated risks and uncertainties
       • The progress of their care
         • Your role and rsponsibilites in the team
       • Who is responsible for each aspect of patient care
         • How information is shared within teams an among those who will be providing their care
   • Treat all information about patients as confidential (includes after a patient has died)
   • Support patients in caring for themselves to empower them to improve and maintain their health
     • This may include:
       • Advising patients on the effects of their life choices and lifestyle on health and wellbeing
       • Supporting patients to make lifestyle changes where appropriate
   • Explain to patients if you have a conscientious objections to a particular procedure
     • Tell them their right to see another doctor (make sure they have enough information to exercise that right)
     • Do not imply or express disapproval of the patient's lifestyle, choices or beliefs
     • If it is not practical for the patient to arrange to see another doctor, you must make sure that arrangements are made for another suitably qualified colleague to take over your role