A new scheme to research and learn from patients' experiences of the NHS has been launched by the health secretary.
Nicola Sturgeon opened a new research centre to co-ordinate feedback from patients on what they thought of their treatment in the NHS in Scotland.
Patients will be asked their views on the quality of hospital accommodation and whether they have been involved in decisions about their care.
Their answers will be used to improve the services provided for patients.
The facility is part of the Better Together: Scotland's Patient Experience Programme, launched at Stirling Royal Infirmary.
"We want patients to be involved in every aspect of decisions about their care"
The centre, based in Edinburgh, will be responsible for developing guidance which health boards will then use to undertake surveys of patients and carers.
It will also analyse results of surveys carried out by health boards and GP practices, and help to distribute them.
Another of its roles will be to help health boards and GP practices to use the information gathered to improve services.
In the first few years, the programme will focus on inpatients, those with long-term conditions and users of GP surgeries.
Questions unasked
Ms Sturgeon said: "The patient experience programme is an important milestone in achieving our vision of an NHS with patients truly at its centre.
"We want patients to be involved in every aspect of decisions about their care.
"NHS boards across Scotland do involve patients in decision-making, but Better Together will help us ensure that best practice is shared across Scotland.
"I am confident that this new national programme will lead to real improvements in the quality of local healthcare and patients' experiences."
She will also unveil a new leaflet, called It's OK to Ask, which contains tips and questions a patient can ask during an appointment with a doctor or nurse.
It was developed after some patients admitted they felt daunted by a first appointment, and left many questions unasked.
The new co-ordination centre will open on 11 February.
The Better Together programme will be a partnership between various organisations including NHS boards, the Scottish Government and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
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