Emma Allen’s stories

Communication is essential in healthcare. Emma’s stories illustrate how some patients may need specialist help to communicate if they are to participate as fully as possible in decisions about their care.

Introduction
Emma works with a stroke survivors’ project. She tells the story of Fred, who dies in hospital, lonely and confused, having suffered from aphasia since his stroke in 1997.

Communication…just simple communication
Emma makes a plea for the use of simple communication methods to help people like Fred understand and participate in making decisions.

Left out of the circle
How can a person with aphasia represent their own interests and participate in making important decisions when they are not invited to use any of their communication methods?