The lead or nominated clinician should take responsibility for these tasks:

• discussing treatment options with patients and carers, including the treatment intent and expected outcomes, and providing a written version of the plan and any referrals
• providing patients and carers with information about the possible side effects of treatment, managing symptoms between active treatments, how to access care, self-management strategies and emergency contacts
• informing patients/carers about who to contact in the case of corticosteroid overdose (corticosteroids are commonly used at high doses over prolonged periods of time, increasing the likelihood of significant side effects)
• providing information about seizures to the family and carers (this information should cover what to expect and what to do in the event of a seizure, such as maintaining the person’s airway and removing dangerous objects from the area; this may help relieve the anxiety of family and carers)
• providing appropriate information to the person’s carer about managing altered cognitive function and behaviour (when there are significant cognitive impairments, carers are likely to assume a central role in communication and decision making)
• providing information about safe mobility to carers and patients
• encouraging patients to use question prompt lists and audio recordings, and to have a support person present to aid informed decision making
• initiating a discussion about advance care planning and involving carers or family if the patient wishes.