CDI patient information
Health Boards should ensure that patients diagnosed with CDI are given information by medical and nursing staff about their condition and prognosis.
- The Scottish Government's response highlighted initiatives promoting person-centred care, including the 'What Matters to You?' approach which emphasises ensuring patients and families have sufficient knowledge about their health conditions and care.
- The Health and Social Care Standards (published June 2017, in use from April 2018) include Standard 1: 'I experience high quality care and support that is right for me' and Standard 2: 'I am fully involved in all decisions about my care and support,' which require that patients diagnosed with CDI are given information about their condition and prognosis (Health and Social Care Standards (https://www.gov.scot/publications/health-social-care-standards-support-life/)).
- The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (revised June 2022) sets out patients' right to information about their condition, treatment options, and care, including information about risks and infections.
- The NIPCM includes guidance on patient and family communication regarding healthcare-associated infections, supporting staff in providing clear, accurate information (National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for Scotland (https://www.nipcm.hps.scot.nhs.uk/about-the-manual/)).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 4.2 of the Scottish Government's response highlights initiatives promoting person-centred care, including the 'Must Do with Me' elements, which emphasize 'what information do you need?' and patient involvement in decisions. The response also details efforts to improve health literacy, with a national action plan and a Clinical Lead for Health Literacy, to ensure communication is meaningful and people have sufficient knowledge and understanding of their health. These measures aim to ensure patients receive necessary information about their condition and prognosis.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities revised June 2022 under Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011. Statutory Duty of Candour established under Health (Tobacco Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 requires organisations to inform patients about incidents and apologise.
View detailed findings
Duty of Candour Procedure (Scotland) Regulations 2018 established the statutory duty. Non-statutory guidance revised March 2025. Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) provides free independent support to patients.