The role of patients in navigating future healthcare

17 September 2023

When patients have a voice in their own care, not only do they leverage better health outcomes for themselves, but they bring benefits to the healthcare system as a whole. This is the message behind World Patient Safety Day, observed on 17 September every year, and the driving force of the CEC's People Partners initiative.

CEC Chief Executive Prof Michael Nicholl said, "Patients are an exceptional resource in understanding how we can do better."

"While we actively harness insights and data from patients at the point of care, it is just as important that patients be involved at other key points in the process, including in the development of policies and strategies," Prof Nicholl said.

"People Partners has made that direct dialogue between patients and health administrators in NSW possible."

Under the initiative, patients are invited to participate in various committees and groups established by the CEC to contribute their lived health experiences in the design and delivery of better and safer systems across the state. By involving patients as partners, for example, the CEC has access to voices that can tell them if a new idea is likely to work on the ground or not.

CEC Partnering with People Lead Heather Moses said the inclusion of diverse consumer voices in this way is actively pursued at all local health care districts and across health agencies in NSW. "Evidence shows that the safety, satisfaction and health of patients significantly improves when they are actively engaged as partners in their own care."

"This means active, informed engagement in their own healthcare decisions, procedures and progress, and awareness of the risks they face. Empowering individuals like this leads to collective patient engagement that can elevate the system as a whole," Ms Moses added.

World Patient Safety Day is hosted by the World Health Organization and serves as a reminder of the value that patients bring to forging more vigilant and responsive healthcare systems.

On 20 September 2023, the World Patients Alliance is presenting a free one-hour webinar hosted by patient engagement champions and experts from across the world.

Learn more about the CEC's People Partner initiative and how you can become a People Partner for the CEC.