World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day, celebrated on 17 September each year, is a World Health Organization (WHO) global initiative focused on promoting safer health care practices and minimising patient harm.
Overview
World Patient Safety Day 2026 focuses on safe care for noncommunicable diseases, under the slogan ‘Safe care for life!’. This campaign calls for coordinated action across sectors and among stakeholders to ensure that no one is harmed while receiving care for noncommunicable diseases.
Noncommunicable diseases include long-term conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, which may require ongoing care throughout a person’s life.
Celebrate World Patient Safety Day
Join the Commission in recognising World Patient Safety Day by amplifying the voices and experiences of people living with noncommunicable diseases.
Access print and digital resources from the World Health Organization's World Patient Safety Day website.
In recognition of World Patient Safety Day, the National Carillon, John Gorton Building, Treasury Building, Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House and Questacon will be lit up in orange on 17 September 2026. The illuminations symbolise Australia’s commitment to patient safety and form part of the worldwide campaign to light landmarks orange in support of safer care.
