What is it?
World Patient Safety Day, a key global public health initiative by the WHO, continues its mission into 2024. It plays a key role in advancing global health and safety, upholding the core medical principle of “first, do no harm.”
Established in 2019 by World Health Assembly through the adoption of resolution WHA72.6 – “Global Action on Patient Safety”, this day is observed annually on September 17th.
What are the aims of World Patient Safety Day?
The objective is to raise public awareness, foster global understanding, and encourage solidarity and action among Member States to promote patient safety. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to address a critical patient safety issue that requires urgent and collective action.
What part will Ireland play in 2024?
Here in Ireland, last year’s World Patient Safety Day focused on the concept of “Health Literacy” (the ability to find, read, understand and use healthcare information). However, according to the HSE, the national public health provider, 1 in 3 people still find it difficult to access and understand health-related information, and many feel uncomfortable asking questions of the health professionals they meet.
With this in mind, the HSE’s theme for World Patient Safety Day this year is ‘Listen, diagnose, understand: working together for patient safety’.
As part of this initiative, there is a focus on improving communication between service users and health professionals. People receiving health services are therefore encouraged to:
- Share their symptoms
- Ask questions
- Listen to their healthcare providers’ advice and repeat back what they understand
- Ask for help if they don’t understand
The ‘My Health, My Voice’ leaflet available from the HSE shares 3 questions that can help patients participate in their healthcare interactions. These questions are:
- What do I need to know now?
- What do I need to do next and why?
- What can I expect?
