Recent News

17^th September is World Patient Safety Day. Commencing in 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Patient Safety Day be celebrated worldwide annually on 17^th September.

When we are patients, we trust that our safety is the focus of healthcare professionals every day. Today is a day to think about this year’s theme; “Speak up for health worker safety!” Really it is a day to consider how dependent we are on each other and how we need to look after those who care for us. Many healthcare workers have had to go the extra mile this year stretching way beyond doing the job they are paid for. Many have risked their own wellbeing and that of their loved ones to continue to provide for patients. We are all vulnerable and the challenges of Covid19 have really brought that fact home. Without the skill of our health care workers many more lives would have been lost. Without the advice and guidance provided by our Government largely informed by our healthcare professionals and policy makers our country would have drowned in the first wave of Covid19. As the challenge continues, we are better placed to make informed choices to protect ourselves.

At Patients for Patient Safety Ireland we want to join with the WHO Patient for Patient Network worldwide in speaking up for health worker safety. We say, thank you, we need you all to stay well and stay safe.

Bernie O’Reilly,
For Patients for Patient Safety Ireland.