The Importance of Person-Centred Care: Tailoring to Individual Needs (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: Let's talk about person-centred care. Kindness and respect mean different things to different people. That's why it matters to be person-centred. Being person-centred means thinking about what makes each person unique and doing everything you can to put their needs first. It's all about working with, instead of doing to. Working with a person will help you tailor their care and motivate them to take part in it. The Code also highlights your professional responsibility to make sure people's rights and best interests are at the centre of your decision-making, especially when people are at their most vulnerable. How do we do this in practice? We can't be person-centred if we don't know what's important to each person, so it's about making time for people. Time to see the whole person, not just the condition or illness. And time to think about their wider needs, social, psychological or spiritual, as well as their health and wellbeing. Good communication is important too, because some people find it easier to talk than others. One person will speak clearly and confidently, while another might need your support. If they don't speak your language or have an impairment, you'll need all your excellent communication skills to help them to share what's important. Then you can plan care with them in a person-centred way. What if it's busy and there's no time? We know it can be easy to see the long list of tasks before you see the person. But even moments of reassurance, a quick smile or a kind word can make a difference to someone's wellbeing. If you're really stretched, let the person know why you can't give them more time right now and that you or someone else will make up for it later. And if you're handing care over to someone else at the end of a busy shift, let them know when you've not had time to properly engage with the person. In difficult, busy circumstances, there's a higher risk you won't get something right for a person. Be open and honest when you've made the wrong assumptions about a person's needs. Don't delay in saying sorry. Reflecting on each person and learning what works for them will help build their trust and confidence in you. That's why being person-centred leads to even better care. Next, we'll talk about end-of-life care.