On World Patient Safety Day, the Medical Council is reminding patients and doctors of the importance of working in partnership to make healthcare as safe as possible.
“Doctors, in partnership with patients and their carers, have a responsibility for ensuring healthcare is as safe as possible,” stated the Council. “Through meaningful engagement, open communication and active listening, doctors and patients can work together to promote safer, higher-quality care. This is particularly important for people living with long-term conditions who may have many interactions with health services throughout their lives.”
The theme of this year’s World Patient Safety Day, established by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is ‘Safe care for life’ and focuses on the safety of people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illness.
People living with NCDs can be at greater risk of harm because of the long-term and complex nature of their care, including the need for ongoing treatment and frequent interactions with doctors and health services. The WHO highlights the importance of addressing safety risks across the continuum of healthcare, from prevention, early detection and diagnosis through to treatment and long-term management.
Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO, Medical Council, said: “Patient safety underpins everything the Medical Council does. Safe care is built on a strong partnership between doctors and patients, with open communication and respect for patients’ rights to be involved in decision-making.
“The Medical Council supports the WHO’s call to action for people living with NCDs to ‘Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay safe’. Treating patients as partners, rather than passive recipients of care, is essential for patient safety.
“Our Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (9th edition, 2024) sets out doctors’ responsibilities in areas including communication, informed consent, continuity and transition of care, and respecting patients’ rights to be involved in their own care.
“Doctors have a responsibility to make healthcare as safe as possible, but patients also play an important role. When both sides communicate openly and listen to each other, together we can help make care safer.”
Prof Deirdre J Murphy, President, Medical Council, said: “In my work with patients, I see firsthand how important it is that people feel able to ask questions and participate actively in decisions about their treatment.
“World Patient Safety Day is an important reminder that patients are partners in safe care and should feel able to ask questions and to speak up if they have any concerns.
“Safe care is not just about one appointment or interaction. For many patients, it is a journey that continues over many years. Each point on that journey is an opportunity to make their care safer.”
Mr Tiberius Pereira, Chair, Patients for Patient Safety Ireland, added: “Trust is the cornerstone of patient safety. Each interaction with the doctor is an opportunity for equal partnership and empowerment between the patient and clinician. Here, trust can be developed through listening, empathy, clear communication, and integrity.
“When patients feel heard and respected, they are more likely to speak up, share concerns, and take an active role in their care, helping them to advocate for themselves and create safer outcomes for everyone.”
The Medical Council has published a blog on its website with resources to support patients and doctors to work in partnership, and to support the public in taking an active role in their healthcare.
Patients can help to stay informed and engaged in their care by:
- Asking questions if anything about a diagnosis, test, or treatment is unclear.
- Keeping a record of medications, appointments, and test results.
- Following up with their doctor if they haven’t heard back about test results.
- Speaking up if something about their care doesn’t feel right.
- Making sure they understand what to expect from their interactions with their doctor.
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