What will be different for people?

So far, we’ve looked at the changes in our population and how the NHS needs to change to respond to this. We’ve also seen that people using the NHS want things to change. We’ve also heard how personalised care policy describes a new relationship between people and the NHS. Here’s a quick reminder of what it says,

“Personalised care represents a new relationship between people, professionals and the health and care system. It enables people to stay well for longer and provides a positive shift in power and decision making that enables people to have a voice, to be heard, and to be connected to each other and their communities. It means people have the opportunity to choose how best to live their lives with the support to do so.”

Personalised care means that services and support should be tailored to the needs of every individual, rather than delivered in a one-size-fits-all fashion.

So, what does a ‘shift in relationship’ actually mean?

Here’s an illustration that was developed by people with lived experience of personalised care. You can also download it here

Personalised care means a shift:

from being seen as a patient with symptoms or separate conditions that need treating to being seen as a whole person with strengths and attributes as well as needs to be met.

from being asked ‘what’s the matter with you?’ to ‘what matters to you?’

from having to tell your story again and again to only needing to tell your story once.

Which of the ‘shifts’ are most important to you? Please tell us in the comments below.