We know that it is sometimes hard to make the most of appointments with health care professionals. Below is a simple guide with a checklist of questions to ask when you go for an appointment. The golden rule is: if you don't understand - ask.

Questions to ask - before you leave your appointment make sure you know the following:

What might be wrong?

• Can I check that I’ve understood what you said? What you’re saying is...
• Can you explain it again? I still don’t understand
• Can I have a copy of any letters written about me?

About any further tests, such as blood tests, scans and so on

• What are the tests for?
• Who do I contact if I don’t get the results?
• How and when will I get the results?

About what treatment, if any, is best for you

• Are there other ways to treat my condition?
• What do you recommend?
• Are there any side effects or risks?
• How long will I need treatment for?
• How will I know if the treatment is working?
• How effective is this treatment?
• What will happen if I don’t have any treatment?
• Is there anything I should stop or avoid doing?
• Is there anything else I can do to help myself?

What happens next and who to contact

• What happens next? Do I come back and see you?
• Who do I contact if things get worse?
• Do you have any written information?
• Where can I go for more information, a support group or more help?

Top tips

Before your appointment

• Write down your two or three most important questions
• List or bring all your medicines and pills – including vitamins and supplements
• Write down details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse
• Ask your hospital or surgery for an interpreter or communication support if needed
• Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you like

During your appointment

• Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t understand. For example, "Can you say that again? I still don't understand."
• If you don’t understand any words, ask for them to be written down and explained
• Write things down, or ask a family member or friend to take notes

Before you leave your appointment

• check that you’ve covered everything on your list
• make sure you understand what's been said: "Can I just check I understood what you said?"
• make sure you know what should happen next - and when. Write it down.

• ask who to contact if you have any more problems or questions
• ask about support groups and where to go for reliable information, and
• ask for copies of letters written about you - you are entitled to see these

After your appointment, don’t forget the following

• Write down what you discussed and what happens next. Keep your notes
• Book any tests that you can and put the dates in your diary

• ask "what happens if I'm not sent my appointment details" and
• ask "can I have the results of any tests?" (If you don’t get the results when you expect - ask for them.) Ask what the results mean

This information has also been translated into several different languages and can be downloaded from the address below:

Department of Health - leaflets in other languages