Many patients are unaware of their rights and the additional support available to them as they navigate their healthcare journey. It is particularly important that patients who experience unequal access to services and systemic discrimination are aware of the financial and social support they can access.

The Patients Association’s new factsheet and animation were created to tackle this issue head-on, and empower patients to:

• understand their rights within the healthcare system, including the right to appropriate treatment, respect, and equal treatment, regardless of background,
• make the most of healthcare appointments, by preparing questions, discussing how their condition affects daily life, and ensuring that care is tailored to their needs and cultural background,
• access available support, including financial assistance through schemes like the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme and NHS Low Income Scheme, as well as resources such as advocacy services, mental health support, and local charities.

These important and useful resources can be shared on social media, and used by both patients and healthcare professionals, particularly those supporting patients with cancer, blood disorders, or people from underserved communities.

• Download the factsheet
• Watch the animation

These resources were developed as part of the Patients Association’s project working with underserved communities living with cancer and/or blood disorders, however the resources are suitable for all patients. This project was funded by a grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

If you’d like to know more or discuss how these resources might be useful to your organisation, please get in touch at [email protected]