New Film Celebrates ‘What Matters to You?’ at NHS Tayside

New film shows how staff at Ninewells Hospital use “What matters to you?” to improve care.

The ALLIANCE is pleased to launch a short film showcasing the work of staff at Ninewells Hospital at NHS Tayside embedding a ‘What Matters to You?’ approach in everyday practice.

The film is a partnership between the ALLIANCE, NHS Tayside and Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

ALLIANCE’s Person Centred Voices National Lead Tommy Whitelaw carried out workshops on kindness, compassion and the importance of asking and listening to what matters to individuals receiving or providing care. Over four days and 20 sessions, Tommy reached over 300 people at NHS Tayside.

This film showcases how everything started, the steps taken to make this a reality and the real-life impact on individuals.

Staff have been instrumental in taking this forward. Since commencing the ‘What Matters to You?’ initiative at Ninewells Hospital in July 2023, 92.6% of those needed Emergency Laparotomy have been asked WMTY when they have arrived on to the surgical floor, and 88% of people surveyed found this tool useful.

ALLIANCE’s Chief Officer Sara Redmond commented: ‘What matters to you?’ is helping create the conditions for a culture and leadership approach which can help bring about lasting change in the ways we provide care and support.

“Too often, we describe the problem about the way our current health and social care system work – that it is too fragmented and doesn’t empower the person seeking care and support to be an active partner.

“Our Person Centred Voices programme has worked for over a decade on the solutions, and this video powerfully captures this impact and the importance of partnership working. We are grateful to Perth and Kinross HSCP, NHS Tayside, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the people accessing health and social care in Tayside who have worked with us in creating the conditions for change.  

“It recognises that we need to show the same level of care and support to the people working in the health and social care system we aim to show those accessing the care and support. It shows that we can all make a difference.”

Executive Nurse Director Simon Dunn at NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside is proud to champion the ‘What Matters to You?’ approach as a cornerstone of compassionate, person-centred care.

“This film captures the dedication of our staff in truly listening to patients and colleagues and turning those conversations into meaningful action. It’s a testament to the power of empathy, collaboration, and the belief that every voice matters in shaping better care experiences.”

Commenting on the film, Clare Morrison, Director of Engagement and Change, Healthcare Improvement Scotland said: “It’s an astonishing 13 years since the question “What matters to you?” was first coined in healthcare.

“Since then, the “What matters to you?” movement has grown worldwide every year. This fantastic development in NHS Tayside of using “What matters to you?” for both patients and staff shows just what a difference it makes.

“I’m delighted to see the success of this brilliant work and how it has been achieved through a partnership between NHS Tayside, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the ALLIANCE and Scottish Government.”

End of page.