Person-centred
Excellence in care framework
What person-centred care means
Person-centred care ensures that care is personalised, coordinated and enabling so people can make choices, manage their own health, and live independent lives where possible.
Person-centred care happens when people are treated as partners in their care and is a central principle of Realistic Medicine and Values Based Healthcare Care (VBHC). The aim is to:
- understand what matters most to each person
- respect their choices and preferences
- build care on equity and fairness
Putting person-centred care into practice
To deliver person-centred care in practice:
- services should be organised around people’s needs, not systems.
- people should be given clear information and the right support. This helps them take part in decisions about their care.
Public Services Delivery Scotland provides more detail on person-centred care.
Person-led systems
Person-centred care also helps to create person-led systems. This means listening to people’s experiences so that organisations:
- design services that reflect real needs and priorities
- make sure people have a voice in how care is planned and delivered
Healthcare Improvement Scotland provides more detail on people-led change.
Reducing health inequalities
Person centred care is key to tackling health inequalities.
Some minority ethnic, vulnerable, and marginalised groups may have less access to information and feel less involved in decisions. This can affect their care and outcomes.
Person-centred care aims to help everyone feel included and respected through:
- strong communication
- cultural awareness
- shared decision making
Healthcare Improvement Scotland provides more detail on health inequalities.