Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS)
PASS is an independent service who provides free, accessible and confidential information, advice and support to patients, their families and carers about NHS healthcare. They can help you through the process of providing feedback, from explaining your rights and responsibilities as a patient, to helping you write a letter or make a phone call.
You can find contact details for your local bureau on Citizens Advice Scotland’s website.
Advocacy
An advocacy worker is someone who works with you to make sure your voice is heard. They can support you to access information and express your views and wishes. You may benefit from an advocacy worker if you find it difficult to make your views known and need other people to listen to you and hear your story.
You can find out more details on the NHS Lothian Advocacy page
Mental Health Advocacy
Everyone in Scotland experiencing mental health difficulties is entitled to independent advocacy.
In Edinburgh, AdvoCard provides individual advocacy for anyone experiencing mental health issues, whether they are living at home or are an inpatient in one of the hospitals.
You can find out more details on the Advocard website
Interpreters – e.g. BSL & Deafblind interpreters, spoken language
Face to face interpreters can be booked in advance for your healthcare appointment or our on-demand phone service may be used to help you communicate during your appointment.
It is against NHS Lothian policy for friends or relatives to act as interpreters during your treatment or appointments. All medical centres and hospitals should have this language chart that can help you explain which language you speak. You can download it and take it with you to your first appointment.
If an interpreter is booked for your appointment but you are running late or need to cancel please let your healthcare professional know as this helps us use our resources efficiently.
NHS Inform
NHS Inform is a health information service which covers a range of health matters, including advice about medical conditions, translated medical information, answers to commonly asked health questions and guidance about welfare rights. The information is trustworthy and constantly updated. You can contact NHS Inform at the following:
T: 0800 22 44 88 (free to call and open 08:00-10:00)
E: nhs.inform@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk
W: www.nhsinform.scot
