Join us at our Medicine for Members event to learn about the power of involving people in decisions about their care

Published: 11 March 2026

The importance of involving people in decisions about their care will be discussed at a free event at Torbay Hospital next month.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Raju Ramesh is an advocate of shared decision making, which involves clinicians and patients working together to make important decisions about healthcare, balanced against the patient’s personal goals and preferences.

On Tuesday 28 April Mr Ramesh, who works at Torbay Hospital, will host Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Medicine for Members event, sharing his experience of embedding patient choice at the heart of how he provides care in a career which has spanned nearly 40 years.

Mr Ramesh says: “Actively involving people in decisions about their care ensures they become partners in their treatment, rather than passive recipients. This approach asks patients, “What matters to you” rather than “What is the matter with you?”

“Shared decision making empowers people and increases engagement with their care, and evidence shows that when people participate in discussions about treatment options and care preferences, they are more likely to stick with the agreed plan and be less likely to regret decisions.

“Translating complex clinical pathways into clear, patient-facing information enables genuine shared decision making and helps people to choose treatments that align with their values, expectations and stages of disease. When patients understand their choices, they make better decisions and move from being passive recipients to informed partners in their treatment journey.”

There will also be an opportunity to ask Raju questions about shared decision making, although he cannot answer queries about individuals and their care.

The event takes place from 5pm to 6pm in TREC, Torbay Hospital and will also be live-streamed on MS Teams.

It’s free to attend, but please email our Foundation Trust Office to confirm your attendance if you are planning to join in person.

Medicine for Members is a free health talk covering a different topic and area of health each session. Hosted by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s clinical professionals, information is provided on specific conditions, treatments, and available support services.

Governors will also be available to meet informally with any guests who wish to sign up to Foundation Trust Membership. Governors represent the interests of members, the public and our staff and they are really interested in meeting with you to hear your views on our organisation and our services.