The Patients Association: World Patient Safety Day 2021

Summary

While childbirth in the UK is generally a safe event, progress to improve safety seems to have stalled, and how safe mums and babies are depends on where you are and who you are, writes the Patients Association in this article for World Patient Safety Day.

The Patients Association firmly believe that involving patients in their care improves outcomes and safety. Mums-to-be developing plans with the midwives and obstetricians seems a perfect example of this. However, research shows that clinicians meaningfully partnering with patients is not mainstream practice. 

"It will take leadership, training and funding to make patient partnership in maternity care everyday practice", says the Patient Association. "This World Patient Safety Day we call on all those in a position to bring about change in how maternity care is delivered and to pledge to introduce true patient partnership."