October is Health Literacy Month – Let’s Bridge the Gap!

Health Literacy Month is observed every October to raise awareness of the importance of helping people find, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions. As health professionals, we play a vital role in ensuring that communication is clear, accessible, and empowering.

Why Health Literacy Matters

• Improves health outcomes
• Reduces unnecessary hospital visits
• Supports informed decision-making

Many patients struggle to understand health information – not just those with limited reading skills. This can lead to missed tests, poor condition management, and increased emergency visits. That’s why health literacy is everyone’s responsibility.

Visit the Health Information Point (HIP)

The HIP is a free and confidential health information service for patients, visitors of patients, hospital staff and volunteers. Located on the ground floor of the Louisa Martindale Building, Royal Sussex County Hospital, the HIP offers:

• Expert guidance on finding trustworthy resources
• Leaflets, printouts, and signposting to support services
• Skills sessions for UH Sussex staff

Boost Your Skills:

Health Literacy & Communicating with Patients

Attend this session if:

• You want to improve how you communicate with patients and contribute to better health outcomes.
• You want to understand what health literacy is.

Session Dates (2025):

• 26 September
• 29 October
• 17 December

Writing for Patient Education

Attend this session if:

• You want to understand how to make leaflets easy to read and understand, including by people with lower levels of health literacy.
• You want to make sure your leaflets align with the Trust’s Carer and Patient Information Group’s (CPIG) guidance on producing patient education materials and gain CPIG approval.

Sessions are available on request using the link below:

Let’s work together to make health information clearer and more accessible for all. Want help getting started? Just reach out – we’re here to support you.