Strengthening safety in Victorian hospitals

Health Issues Centre welcomes the review of Victorian hospital safety and quality assurance commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services at the request of the Minister for Health.

HIC is committed to working towards a health system with better outcomes and experiences for all. We seek out and articulate consumer perspectives to ensure consumers are wellrepresented in shaping policy, practice and the experience of care. It is through this health consumer-focused lens that we are responding to this discussion paper.

Our response is based on consultations with consumers, aimed at eliciting their views on the key themes of the discussion paper. The response is also informed by our knowledge and experience of working for over three decades to represent the views of consumers in health.

Here are our key recommendations by themes

Theme 1 - Fostering continuous improvement and clinical excellence

Improve patient participation at the individual level
Clearly acknowledge the role of families and carers in safety and quality
Embed partnering with consumers at a system level
Strengthen the ability of patients and families to complain and for complaints to lead to improved quality and safety