Word of Mouth

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

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Word of Mouth: NHS language use

NHS language use

BBC Radio 4 - Word of Mouth, NHS language use

Michael Rosen on how the NHS chooses words on its website and in consultants' letters.

Michael Rosen talks with Sara Wilcox, NHS website content designer, and consultant Dr Hugh Rayner, about the words chosen for the NHS website and for letters written to patients.

Michael Rosen talks with Sara Wilcox, NHS content designer, about how they decide which words to use on the NHS website. Consultant Dr Hugh Rayner describes his initiative to encourage consultants to write letters to their outpatient clinic patients directly and in clear language, rather than via their GP. When it comes to the NHS, communication can be a matter of life or death. 
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Producer Beth O'Dea
Related Links:
The content style guide in the NHS digital service manual: https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content
The A to Z of NHS health writing: https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/a-to-z-of-NHS-health-writing
Writing outpatient letters to patients: http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.m24?ijkey=PKDrAMEdQAxS1w5&keytype=ref 
Please, write to me guidance: http://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Please_write_to_me_Guidance_010918.pdf

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