Patient and consumer centred care

Patient and consumer centred care is widely recognised as a foundation to safe, high-quality health care. It is care that respects and responds to the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.

A wide range of resources and information are available on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website to help health care organisations understand and implement best-practice patient and consumer care. This includes information about understanding your rights, tips for safe health care, and working with your health care provider. 

Principles of patient centred care

SA Health is focusing on eight principles of patient centred care and your rights, that are aimed to deliver the best care, and to ensure privacy and dignity are respected at all times.

The key principles of patient centred care approaches include:

  • treating patients, consumers, carers and families with dignity and respect
  • encouraging and supporting participation in decision making by patients, consumers, carers and families
  • communicating and sharing information with patients, consumers, carers and families
  • fostering collaboration with patients, consumers, carers, families and health professionals in program and policy development, and in health service design delivery and evaluation.

The eight patient and consumer centred care principles

  1. Respect for your values, preferences and expressed needs
  2. Coordination and integration of care
  3. Information, communication and education
  4. Physical comfort
  5. Emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety
  6. Involvement of family and/or carers
  7. Continuity and transition
  8. Access to care.

Resources

Contact

Safety and Quality
Email: Health.DHWClinicalGovernanceEnquiries@sa.gov.au
Telephone: (08) 8226 2567