https://club.hcqc.co.uk/c/self-audits/edit-lesson/sections/517638/lessons/2677736
In general practice, empowering patients to take an active role in their care is central to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate services. Supporting independence, choice, and control is not just about providing options — it’s about making sure patients understand their rights, feel listened to, and are equipped to manage their health confidently.
🔍 Why This Audit Was Created
This week’s audit has been developed in line with the CQC “We” statement on Independence, choice and control. The aim is to ensure patients are consistently involved in their care decisions, can access information that is clear and accessible, and are supported to self-manage their health wherever appropriate.
This focus reflects the growing emphasis in healthcare on shared decision-making — recognising that patients are the experts in their own lives. By ensuring people are empowered, practices can build stronger trust, improve health outcomes, and demonstrate compliance with CQC regulations around person-centred care, dignity, and governance.
Why It Matters
· Improves health outcomes: Patients who are actively engaged in their care are more likely to follow treatment plans and make lifestyle changes that prevent complications.
· Builds trust: When patients feel heard and respected, they are more confident in the care they receive and more likely to maintain long-term relationships with the practice.
· Supports autonomy: Encouraging patients to understand their rights and participate in decisions fosters independence and reduces reliance on services for issues that can be self-managed.
· Meets CQC expectations: The Care Quality Commission highlights the importance of promoting independence and shared decision-making under Regulation 9 (Person-Centred Care) and Regulation 10 (Dignity and Respect).
Building a Culture of Shared Decision-Making
Supporting independence is not a single action but an ongoing cultural commitment. Practical steps include:
· Using shared decision-making tools to explore treatment options with patients.
· Offering accessible information in different languages and formats, so everyone can participate.
· Ensuring carers and families are involved appropriately, with patient consent.
· Supporting patients to use self-management tools (e.g., home blood pressure monitors, digital health apps, or asthma action plans).
Embedding these approaches across the whole practice team ensures patients feel empowered at every point of their care journey.
✅ Final Thoughts
Promoting independence, choice, and control is about more than regulatory compliance — it’s about partnering with patients as equals. When patients feel they have genuine input into decisions, they are more engaged in their health, more likely to trust their clinicians, and better equipped to manage their wellbeing.
This audit helps practices assess how well they are supporting independence and highlights areas for improvement. By learning from patient feedback, strengthening communication, and building resilient systems, practices can ensure that every patient is treated as an individual — with dignity, respect, and true control over their care.
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