Global stakeholders agree to a new charter on patient safety rights

Sept. 15, 2023
World Patient Safety Day is on September 17th.

The WHO-hosted global conference on patient safety and patient engagement concluded with agreement across a broad range of stakeholders on a first-ever Patient safety rights charter. It outlines the core rights of all patients in the context of safety of healthcare and seeks to assist governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the voices of patients are heard and their right to safe healthcare is protected. 

This year’s World Patient Safety Day seeks to highlight the critical importance of listening to patients, families and caregivers, learning from their experiences, and involving them in every aspect of care, to avoid harm, lower the risk of errors and reduce the impact of harm when it does occur. This requires a shift in paradigm, from care designed for patients to care designed with patients, their families and caregivers. 

The global conference on patient engagement for patient safety was the key event to mark World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) which will be observed on September 17 under the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety”. Meaningful involvement of patients, families and caregivers in the provision of healthcare, and their experiences and perspectives, can contribute to enhancing healthcare safety and quality, saving lives and reducing costs, and the WPSD aims to promote and accelerate better patient and family engagement in the design and delivery of safe health services. 

At the conference, WHO unveiled two new resources to support key stakeholders in implementing involvement of patients, families and caregivers in the provision of healthcare. Drawing on the power of patient stories, which is one of the most effective mechanisms for driving improvements in patient safety, a storytelling toolkit will guide patients and families through the process of sharing their experiences, especially those related to harmful events within healthcare. The Global Knowledge Sharing Platform, created as part of a strategic partnership with SingHealth Institute for Patient Safety and Quality Singapore, supports the exchange of global resources, best practices, tools and resources related to patient safety, acknowledging the pivotal role of knowledge sharing in advancing safety.

According to the interim results of the 2023 survey of WHO Member States on the implementation of the global patient safety action plan, only 13% of responding countries have a patient representative on the governing board (or an equivalent mechanism) in the majority of their hospitals. The survey also highlighted the income-based implementation gap, with good practices largely concentrated in higher-income countries.

WHO release