The committee acknowledged that this was covered by the patient experience guideline (particularly section 1.3) and agreed to include a cross reference to that guidance in their recommendations. It was agreed that the following points should be communicated to the patient in the first 2 appointments with the heart failure MDT: Diagnosis. Explanation of the terminology. Symptoms of heart failure and the meaning of proscriptions (for example, dietary, physical activities). Available treatments, their effects and side effects. Prognosis. Mention exacerbations and risk of sudden death. The cardiologists on the committee described that they often have to dispel misconceived ideas at the first consultation with a newly diagnosed patient. This may be the result of misunderstandings occurring when patients are referred for specialist investigation of heart failure symptoms. The committee was also aware of a lack of public awareness of heart failure as a medical condition that contributed to this. The committee did not support the use of euphemisms and suggested that health care professionals use the term heart failure in an open and honest manner with the patient, explaining its meaning in detail, dispelling any myths or other fears induced by the language, and providing a balanced picture of the condition. The committee discussed that imagery used to describe heart failure by some healthcare professionals can be received poorly by patients. To avoid confusion for patients it was suggested that healthcare professionals could practice some phrases to explain the condition before seeing the patient. The committee acknowledged that discussion of prognosis should be a gradual process and may not necessarily be discussed in the first consultation as it is highly difficult to predict, particularly in the early stages of the condition. 