How patient choice shapes healthcare at Torbay Hospital

Patients and members of the public are invited to a free event at Torbay Hospital next month to learn about the importance of involving people in decisions about their healthcare.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Raju Ramesh, who has worked at Torbay Hospital for nearly 40 years, will lead the session on Tuesday 28 April as part of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Medicine for Members series.

Mr Ramesh is a strong advocate of shared decision making, an approach that encourages clinicians and patients to work together, balancing clinical expertise with the patient’s personal goals and preferences.

He said: “Actively involving people in decisions about their care ensures they become partners in their treatment, rather than passive recipients. This approach asks patients, ‘What matters to you?’ rather than ‘What is the matter with you?’

“Shared decision making empowers people and increases engagement with their care. Evidence shows that when patients participate in discussions about treatment options and care preferences, they are more likely to stick with the agreed plan and be less likely to regret decisions.

“Translating complex clinical pathways into clear, patient-facing information enables genuine shared decision making and helps people choose treatments that align with their values, expectations and stages of disease.”

Attendees will also have the chance to ask questions about shared decision making, though Mr Ramesh will not be able to give advice about individual cases.

The event takes place from 5pm to 6pm in TREC, Torbay Hospital, and will also be live-streamed via Microsoft Teams.

Attendance is free, but anyone planning to join in person is asked to email tsdft.foundationtrust@nhs.net to confirm.