2019 World Patient Safety Day – Speak up for patient safety

17 September 2019

The Clinical Excellence Commission is proud to support the first World Patient Safety Day on 17 September 2019, a day of recognition established by the World Health Organization in May this year.

This year's theme is 'Patient Safety: a global health priority' and the slogan: 'Speak up for patient safety'.

In May 2019, 194 nations moved to recognise patient safety as a global health priority leading to the creation of an internationally acknowledged day in which we recognise the importance of patient safety.

The CEC has a number of initiatives, projects and programs to support NSW health facilities respond to existing and emerging healthcare issues. These include governance and assurance, adult patient safety, paediatric patient safety and medication safety. The CEC also manages programs focused on specific dangers such as Sepsis Kills, Between the Flags and Falls Prevention which have all had significant positive impact improving patient safety in NSW.

There are events taking place across the globe in recognition of World Patient Safety Day. In Geneva, the Jet d'Eau will turn orange, the colour of World Patient Safety Day.

In Sydney, the Australian Institute of Health Innovation has organised a free lunchtime seminar presented by former CEC CE Cliff Hughes at its Macquarie University site. There are also events taking place in Fremantle and Bacchus Marsh.

For people wanting to engage and share their experiences on social media, WHO encourages adding #PatientSafety #WorldPatientSafetyDay to your posts.

For more information about the day or to access campaign materials, the World Patient Safety Day website is a great resource. The CEC looks forward to supporting World Patient Safety Day in its first year and into the future.