Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the Patient First Program?
The purpose of Patient First is to:
- Increase patients’ understanding of their condition
- Enable patients’ to make better decisions through informed consent
- Increase patients’ awareness of the risks associated with health care
- Reduce the potential for adverse clinical events
- Empower patients’ to manage their own health care
- Improve patient safety
- Promote consumers as partners in health care
Where is Patient First information available?
Patient First booklets are available at public hospitals throughout WA and are being given to inpatients as part of their admission pack (this varies at each hospital). The booklets are also available from:
- The Health Consumers’ Council 9221 3422 or 1800 620 780
- The Office of Safety and Quality in Healthcare
Is information available in public and private hospitals?
It is available in all public hospitals and some private hospitals have been very keen to involve their patients. The information is available on the above website for private hospitals to access.
What about people whose first language is not English?
Patient First is currently available in English. The Patient First resources will be developed further to address the needs of other consumer groups, including:
- Vision impaired
- Seniors
- Paediatrics and adolescents
- Aboriginal people
- People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
- Mental Health
How is Patient First being implemented in hospitals?
There are different approaches being used by different hospitals. Primarily, Consumer Liaison Staff are responsible for the implementation of the Patient First Program in hospitals.
At what age will children receive a copy of ‘Patient First’?
All patients will have the opportunity to receive a copy, including children. Parents / guardians will be able to use the information to manage their child’s healthcare.