The Patients Association and Picker respond to the publication of the Quality strategy for NHS-funded care in England

Commenting on the publication of the NHS Quality Strategy, Rachel Power, Chief Executive of The Patients Association, and Chris Graham, Chief Executive of Picker, said:

“We have long advocated for the highest quality person centred care for all, always. It is therefore encouraging to see a clear commitment in the new Quality Strategy to delivering high quality care for everyone, everywhere.

Dr Penny Dash’s review of the patient safety landscape highlighted that the three core domains of quality – safety, experience and effectiveness – have not always received equal focus. We welcome that the strategy reaffirms this definition and recognises patient experience as a fundamental pillar of high quality care.

We agree that delivering high quality care is a shared responsibility across the NHS and support the renewed focus on tackling structural inequalities and unwarranted variation within the health service. Strengthening how patient experience is measured and improved is essential – only by focusing on what matters most to patients, service users and their families and carers can care become truly person centred.

However, the 10 Year Health Plan rightly speaks of offering patients real power, not just voice, and we want to see that ambition carried through into how this strategy is delivered. Patients, service users, and carers must be able to help shape what good care looks like, not simply be asked to respond to decisions made elsewhere in the system.”

Notes to editors 

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