The first key question asked by the CQC is “Are services safe?”. By safe, they mean are people protected from abuse and avoidable harm? If we look at the description of safe from a quality statement perspective, it states: “Safety is a priority for everyone and leaders embed a culture of openness and collaboration. People are always safe and protected from bullying, harassment, avoidable harm, neglect, abuse and discrimination. Their liberty is protected where this is in their best interests and in line with legislation.”

As you know, quality statements are expressed as ‘we’ statements and there are lots of sub-headings under the subject of safe which have such statements. But one word to focus on from the safe quality statement overview is ‘collaboration’.

If you’re wondering why, it’s simply because we need to “elevate the voice of patients”. Who says so? The WHO does! Since 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) has held an annual World Patient Safety Day, striving to involve patients in their own care, making them partners and active members in their own health and care. So, collaboration with patients is key to successful health outcomes, but collaboration is also essential when looking at significant events (both positive and negative), duty of candour, complaints and much more.

There’s so much to consider and coordinate, and if you’re wondering how to maintain an overview of what’s going on, then take a look at the Compliance Package, accessible in the Practice Index HUB, which includes Significant Events Manager, Complaints Manager, and Compliments Manager. This is a really good way to record, assign, track and report all of your compliance actions.

If we’re to truly empower our patients then we need to involve them in all aspects of their care – good and bad. There needs to be a positive culture of safety based on honesty, openness and transparency.

As the shift to quality statements gains traction, there’s a clear requirement to involve people in managing risks: “We work with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically so that care meets their needs in a way that is safe and supportive and enables them to do the things that matter to them.” The only way this can be achieved is by listening to patients, acknowledging they have a voice and ensuring that all you do supports the delivery of safe care.

The global campaign for World Patient Safety Day 2023 will be held on 17^th September 2023 and will include national campaigns, initiatives, and lighting up iconic monuments, landmarks and public places in the colour orange, which is the signature mark of the campaign.

For more detailed information on World Patient Safety Day 2023, have a look at the campaign page and the campaign event page or contact [email protected]. Now is the time to raise awareness, engage stakeholders, and empower patients and their families and carers to become partners in their own care.