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Is Person Centred Care the Key to better Healthcare?

Posted by Natalie Clarke

The Need for a Shift in Care Delivery

Person-centred care is a concept that, while it might seem like the obvious choice for delivering care, isn't always the standard practice. Often, care is delivered to a person rather than with them, creating barriers to effective care. Traditional approaches tend to focus on meeting healthcare goals rather than addressing what is personally meaningful to the person.

Understanding Person-Centred Care: What Sets It Apart?

In contrast, person-centred care is about working closely with an individual to create a care plan that’s unique to them. This approach respects their preferences, gives them control, enhances their knowledge and supports them in making informed decisions about their care.

Historical Context: The Roots of Person-Centred Care

Person-centred care has its roots in the 1960s when Carl Rogers introduced the idea of client-centered therapy. He highlighted the importance of building a patient-professional relationship based on trust and genuine care. Although healthcare has changed significantly since then, the core values of empathy and respect remain key to person-centred care. The shift from focusing solely on medical treatment to considering the whole person marked the start of more individualised care.

Legal Foundations: Strengthening Person-Centred Care

In the UK, this approach has been strengthened by laws like the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Care Act 2014, which require patients to be actively involved in their care decisions.

What is Person-Centred Care Planning?

Person-centred care is a broad and evolving concept without a one-size-fits-all definition. It’s all about tailoring care to meet the specific needs, preferences and choices of each individual. What’s important to one person may not be important to another, which is why a personalised care approach is key.

Core Principles: The Foundation of Effective Person-Centred Care

The Health Foundation identifies four key principles that support effective person-centred care:

1. Affording people dignity, compassion and respect: This means recognising the intrinsic value of each individual and treating them with kindness and consideration. It involves acknowledging their feelings, preferences and needs to ensure they are treated with the utmost respect.

 

2. Offering coordinated care, support or treatment: Person-centred care requires a coordinated approach, where different aspects of care are seamlessly integrated. This might involve coordinating between various healthcare professionals, social services and other support systems to deliver comprehensive care the person needs.

 

3. Providing personalised care, support or treatment: This principle emphasises the importance of tailoring care to the individual. It’s about creating a care plan that is unique to the person, reflecting their preferences, needs and circumstances.

 

4. Supporting individuals to recognise and develop their strengths and abilities to live an independent and fulfilling life: Person-centred care is not just about treating illness; it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their lives and achieve their goals. This might involve helping them to develop new skills, to build their confidence or to access resources and support networks that can enhance their quality of life.

 

Benefits of Person-Centred Care Planning & Why It Matters

At Ocean Healthcare, these principles are at the heart of every care plan. Encouraging Service Users to engage and take ownership of their care is crucial. The key to person-centred care is transforming the professional-patient relationship into a true partnership, where we work together to understand each person's needs and preferences. Our goal is to assist our Service Users in making informed decisions about their care and help them identify and prioritise what’s most important to them. 

 

Steps Ocean Healthcare Take To Create a Person-Centred Care Plan

Creating a person-centred care plan begins with a holistic assessment that looks beyond physical needs to consider emotional, psychological and social factors. By understanding the whole person, we can create care plans that reflect their values, lifestyle and preferences. Throughout this process, the individual is fully involved and informed every step of the way.

 

Communication: The Pillar of Person-Centred Care

Clear and honest communication is essential in delivering person-centred care. We provide ample opportunities for individuals to ask questions, give feedback and raise concerns. This approach not only empowers the people we care for but also builds trust and strengthens relationships.

 

Practical Application: How Person-Centred Care Works at Ocean Healthcare

In practice, person-centred care at Ocean Healthcare can be as simple as scheduling visits at times that are convenient for the person, providing care in their preferred manner or involving family members in decision-making if that’s what the person wishes.

 

Embracing a Cultural Shift: Beyond Clinical Outcomes

We’re proud of the cultural shift we’ve established within Ocean Healthcare to truly embrace person-centred care. It’s about moving beyond a narrow focus on clinical outcomes to a broader view of success that includes patient satisfaction, quality of life and empowerment.

 

The Clear Benefits of Person-Centred Care

Despite the challenges, the benefits of person-centred care are clear. Research shows that patients actively involved in their care experience better health outcomes and higher satisfaction levels. At Ocean Healthcare, we’re committed to seeing each Service User as a unique individual with their own needs, preferences and values. By embracing the principles of dignity, compassion, personalisation and empowerment, we foster deeper engagement and strive for improved health outcomes, creating a responsive and outstanding care service. We invite you to join us in this shift—whether as a patient, family member, or healthcare provider, you can be an advocate for personalised, respectful care that puts people first.

You can call us now on 01803 470025. We'd love to hear from you.

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