Compassionate Communication Policy

Introduction

Communication is fundamental to the delivery of relationship between health care professionals and patients/ relatives. Good communication with patients and relatives is not an optional skill. It is an essential part of professional practice.

Good communication on the part of the professional:

• Facilitates psychological adjustment to difficult news
• Enables patient participation in decision making about their treatment and care
• Improves patient quality of life and well being
• Improves patient satisfaction
• Increases concordance with prescribed medication and adherence to medical advice
• Decreases complaints
• Enhances professional’s job-satisfaction and decreases burn out

The aim of this Policy is to support the delivery of essential communication for all staff at ASPH ensuring accurate, compassionate and consistent information for patients /relatives within the context of their care situation. Relevant Tools are provided to in the form of a standard- when to communicate, and the Matters Tool which supports how to communicate. A Communication Standard (appendix 6) describes daily/routine communication to next of kin/one relative to provide regular consistent updates about the patients care journey to reduce anxiety and support a partnership approach between staff, patients and their next of kin/relatives, in some cases enabling discharge. The Matters Tool and SBAR Tool support how to communicate.

Policy Details