A global call to prioritise safety and care
Today marks World Patient Safety Day – a global awareness day that calls on healthcare providers everywhere to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of those in their care. With the theme for this year focusing on children, it is a reminder that safety must go beyond the clinical needs of our adult patients; expert hospice care is about safeguarding the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing of the whole family.
While our care is primarily focused on adults with life-limiting illnesses, we recognise that the impacts of illness and grief are felt across the entire family – including the children of those we care for. Our Social Work Team plays an important role in helping parents to guide their children through what are often incredibly difficult times.
Creating safe spaces for children
Emily Madsen, our Social Work Team Leader, explains:
“We help parents to create safe, open spaces where their children feel secure and able to ask questions, express emotions and begin to make sense of what’s happening. Emotional safety is every bit as important as physical care – and by supporting parents, we help to foster a sense of security and understanding for their children. Whether it’s preparing children for the death of a parent, supporting families through bereavement, or simply offering a calm, trusted presence, our aim is to help families navigate deeply uncertain and anxious times.”
Supporting holistic wellbeing
Safeguarding the wellbeing of patients and their loved ones – who all have individual and often complex needs – is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s through compassionate communication, emotional support, or hands-on care, we are committed to protecting the interests of those we serve – not just medically. This deep sense of responsibility for wellbeing feeds directly into our wider approach to patient safety.
Patient safety as a foundation of care
“On this World Patient Safety Day, we reflect on how safety underpins every aspect of care at Rowcroft Hospice,” says Katie Cook, Quality and Patient Safety Lead at Rowcroft Hospice. “In a setting where dignity and compassion are essential, patient safety means more than avoiding harm – it’s about fostering trust, kindness, and peace at life’s most vulnerable moments. When things don’t go as expected, our teams listen, learn, and work together to improve the experiences and care given to patients and families.”
Rowcroft is proud to join healthcare providers across the globe in championing safe, person-centred care – and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting families with empathy, integrity, and kindness.