Digital flag – Patient information leaflet

A member of staff or a carer can support you to read this booklet. They will answer any questions that you have.

We want to make getting support from our services as easy as possible. We have set up a system which would let us know if you have a learning disability or are autistic.

We are calling this a ‘flag’.

This is kept in our electronic patient record system and shows up when a member of staff looks at your records. This information will help us look after you when we see you.

All staff can see this information. This means you should only need to tell us once.

The flag will be part of your clinical record.

The flag uses information from different places across the NHS system.

The flag will let staff know that you may have autism, a learning disability or both.

Staff will talk to you about what would help you.

Things that you like, for example:

• What I like to be called
• I need a changing place for personal care

Things that you do not like, for example:

• Do not touch me without permission
• Crowded and loud spaces
• Not knowing what is happening
• Kept waiting a long time

Support you may need:

• Let us know if you will be bringing a carer or someone with you when coming to appointments
• Let us know your carer’s contact details
• Help to get to appointments

The person working with you will tell you that you have a flag.

They will talk to you about things that will support you.

They will write this in your clinical record.

Speak to a member of your care team or a member of staff if you think the information is wrong or needs to be changed.

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk/contact/complaints
• telephone the Complaints Department 0191 245 6672
• email complaints@cntw.nhs.uk 

We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.  

You can provide feedback in the following ways:

• the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
• complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff 
• other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved one's care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.

North of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
Email: pals@nhct.nhs.uk
Post: FREEPOST PALS

South of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: pals@cntw.nhs.uk
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9.00am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288.

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2024 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/886/1124 April 2024 V2

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2026