Te Whatu Ora Southern is excited to launch Shared Goals of Care on 25 September 2023 to foster two-way conversations among clinicians, patients, and whānau. In line with health provider’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities, shared goals of care are when clinicians, patients and whānau explore patients’ values, the care and treatment options available and agree the goal of care for the current admission and if the patient deteriorates.
How will Shared Goals of Care improve patient care?
Dr David Gow, Chief Medical Officer for Southern, highlights that Shared Goals of Care is an important safety improvement for our patients from the previous consultation process. “Incorporating this new practice into our daily routines will lead to more patient and whānau-centered care and better health outcomes,” David shares. The implementation of Shared Goals of Care is poised to streamline shared care planning across hospitals. From 6 September, patients and their whānau are given options to choose from with agreed medical interventions should their health deteriorate during their admission.
How will Shared Goals of Care affect me?
Shared Goals of Care also include what is meaningful to a person, their hopes, worries, values and plans for the future and the ways they would like those caring for them to look after their spiritual and emotional needs. It is a process of thinking and talking about what patient’s preferences are for their current healthcare. It helps patients and clinicians understand what the current treatment options are, the likely outcomes and what health care a patient would or would not want. The ensuing treatment recommendations are shaped by these meaningful conversations, with the primary aim of uplifting patient well-being.
Notably, discussions around shared goals of care are initiated before episodes of acute deterioration, ensuring that all stakeholders can participate fully, free from the pressures of an evolving clinical crisis.
Where can I find out more information?
The implementation of Shared Goals of Care is part of a five-year national Patient Deterioration programme led by the Health Quality and Safety Commission, which has two other components: Recognition and response systems, and patient family and whānau escalation.
In this video Felicity shares her story of advocating for her mother’s wishes and values when her mother was dying.