NSQHS 2 Partnering
For consumers
The Commission has developed information, tools and resources to help support consumers engagement with, and understanding of, safe and high-quality health care.
Person-centred care
Person-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.
Visit the person-centred care resource hub and the shared decision making resources for more information.
Supporting consumers
Consumers should be supported to be active partners in the design, delivery and evaluation of health care.
To do this, consumers should be:
- Supported to understand and exercise their healthcare rights
- Provided with evidence-based information about treatment options for their medical conditions
- Encouraged to share decision making about their health care to the extent that they choose
- Involved in making decisions about how health services are designed and operate, how care is delivered, and in measuring and evaluating care and services.
Health care can be improved when consumers share – with their healthcare providers – what is important to them and any issues that may impact on their care and treatment plans.
Why do we talk about consumers?
When we talk about healthcare consumers we mean a person who has used, or may potentially use, health services, or is a carer for a patient using health services.
