‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign

‘It’s OK to Ask’ – supporting patients in Scotland to ask the right questions about their healthcare

Through the ‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign, people in Scotland are being encouraged to ask their healthcare providers more questions about their treatment and be more involved in decisions around their care.

The campaign aims to break down communication barriers and create open, positive conversations to ensure patients have full information on the options available for their care and treatment.

Patients are being asked to consider four key questions when they next attend an appointment, or discuss their care with a healthcare professional:

• What are the benefits of my treatment?
• What are the risks of my treatment?
• Any alternative treatments I can try?
• What if I do nothing?

John McAnaw, Associate Clinical Director at NHS 24 said: ‘The ‘It’s OK to Ask’ campaign was designed to help people feel empowered to ask for more information about their care during discussions with health professionals.

‘We understand it can sometimes feel intimidating or even scary to ask for more information when you are in a healthcare setting, but our healthcare colleagues throughout the NHS will be delighted to help with any questions you may have.

‘By feeling supported and encouraged to freely ask questions and get more advice on the available options, we hope that more patients feel involved in decisions about their care and treatment, and they make more educated, informed choices about what is right for them.’

The campaign is being promoted through digital advertising and is supported by NHS Scotland. More information, including a free-to-download patient leaflet and translations into other languages, can be found on 

NHS inform:  – nhsinform.scot/campaigns/its-ok-to-ask