World Patient Safety Day
There isn’t a day when patient safety isn’t at the forefront of our minds, but 17th September is a good excuse to dive into what it really means to us.
Our surgical partners
We outsource our children’s surgeries to the medical facilities we partner with.
Part of the partnering process entails making sure they are compliant with our high healthcare standards, which are informed by government requirements and by global benchmarks for excellence.
The other piece we look for is a shared ethos when it comes to patient care: we want to be confident that our children are treated with kindness and empathy, and made to feel safe. It’s also why one of our House Mamas stays overnight in hospital with the children.
Because surgery is the only part of our healing journey that isn’t in-house, we take our due diligence very seriously; it is our way of ensuring our children’s safety.
Surgery strong
We conduct a thorough assessment of each child so that we have a full picture of their health.
Focusing solely on their disability overlooks other conditions that could compromise the surgery or their recovery – so we make sure we have all the information we need to give each child the best shot at an excellent recovery.
Many arrive malnourished, so we put them on individually tailored therapeutic feeding programmes to build up their strength. Children spend an average of three months with us, and often a big portion of this time is dedicated to getting them to a condition where surgery is even possible.
High love
It’s not just physical health though; ‘surgery-strong’ is also about psychological and emotional readiness for the transformation that awaits.
When we asked our team what patient safety means to them, we loved how many of their answers were about making our children feel safe.
“Patient safety is about providing a secure and loving environment where our children can heal and recover safely. It means we prioritise their well-being, making sure they feel safe, cared for, and supported every step of the way.”
“When safety is prioritised with love and empathy, patients feel secure, valued, and supported. This approach fosters a sense of trust and comfort, which is essential for healing.”