In recent years, the approach to health and social care in the UK has shifted, moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions towards a more tailored, holistic approach known as person-centred care.  

This approach emphasises the importance of seeing each person as a unique individual and puts individuals at the heart of their care. Caregivers are trained to respect personal preferences, values and needs rather than focussing on just the physical condition.  

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), person-centred care has been shown to improve emotional wellbeing, satisfaction and feelings of empowerment, making it an important part of today’s care practices.

Person-centred care is a holistic care approach that goes beyond treating physical symptoms and prioritises the individual’s wellbeing. It’s built on a foundation of empathy and respect and encourages caregivers to actively listen to and empower individuals to make their own decisions. By recognising the choice and autonomy of a person, this approach helps to create a greater sense of dignity in care and independence, boosting the care quality and individuals’ overall happiness. This involves taking a personalised care approach and tailoring care to the individual, so that they feel respected and understood.  

Respect for individual preferences 

Respecting individual preferences is at the core of person-centred care. Caregivers should take the time to understand each person’s choices and incorporate these into their daily care plan. This could include listening to a person’s meal preferences and respecting how they would like to spend their time. Listening to these choices helps to build trust and ensure that all needs are met.  

Holistic approach 

A holistic approach goes beyond tackling just the physical health needs of individuals. It highlights the importance of the whole person, including their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Caregivers should view individual as a whole person rather than just a collection of physical symptoms or conditions, taking into consideration factors like social connections, mental stimulation and emotional support. By organising social activities or engaging in hobbies the person enjoys, this can improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.  

Collaboration 

Collaboration is a super important part of person-centred care, where care providers, individuals, and their families are able to freely voice their opinions. Caregivers should ask for feedback and involve both the individual and their family in creating a care plan that everyone is happy with. By involving the person at every stage, caregivers can make the individual in care feel empowered and engaged in their own care journey.  

Empowerment 

It’s particularly important that those in care feel in control of their own lives. Empowering individuals means giving them the support, information and tools they need to engage fully in their own care. This could involve simple actions, like allowing them to choose their clothes or encouraging them to set personal goals. When people feel empowered, they gain the confidence they need to manage their own wellbeing. This also builds a sense of agency, dignity and respect, making sure that the person always stays at the centre of their own care.  

Dignity and respect 

Dignity and respect are the foundation of person-centred care and should be used as guiding principles for how those in care should be treated. Delivering care with dignity and respect means understanding each person’s identity, background, and choices without judgement or discrimination. This approach encourages caregivers to be compassionate and considerate, making sure that those in their care feel safe, valued and respected at all times. Building positive, respectful relationship can also encourage trust and open communication and help to create a more positive care environment.  

Benefits of person-centred care 

Person-centred care offers and wide range of benefits that positively impact both individuals in care and health and social care staff. This approach can improve patient satisfaction and the long-term health of those in care, as they feel genuinely understood and supported in the ways that matter to them. Through open communication and collaboration, caregivers can create stronger, more trusting relationships with those they support. Individuals also experience a greater sense of independence and control over their lives, empowering them to make choice that reflect their values and boost their overall wellbeing.  

As a result, implementing a person-centred approach can help to reduce hospital admissions, as individuals are more likely to engage in preventative care, follow their treatment plans, and manage physical health conditions more effectively.  

Implementing person-centred care in health and social care settings 

So, how do you effectively implement person-centred care? Get started by considering our practical top tips for applying a person-centred care approach to everyday practice: 

• Engage individuals in the decision-making process to make sure their specific needs and preferences are reflected in their care plans. 

• Develop care plans that are tailored and personalised to each individual.  

• Make sure staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to take on a person-centred approach. At Careskills Academy, we offer a wide range of over 95 CPD-accredited online courses, to support upskilling and health and social care training.   

• Create a positive care environment where individuals, families, and staff can communicate openly, building trust and understanding. 

In the UK, person-centred care is deeply ingrained within national standards and legislation. The Care Act 2012 makes person-centred care a legal requirement in assessing and providing care services. It requires local authorities and care providers to prioritise the wellbeing, needs and choices of individuals. 

Additionally, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed a set of guidelines to promote person-centred care within health and social care settings. These guidelines encourage providers to focus on individual preferences and involve individuals in their care planning.  

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for monitoring and inspecting care services across the UK. They look at the quality of care being provided, assessing whether an environment is safe, effective and compassionate. They also have specific criteria to make sure those in care are always treated with respect and dignity.  

These policies and guidelines put person-centred care at the forefront of UK care standards.  

Despite its benefits, delivering person-centred care can present challenges. Time constraints can make it difficult for caregivers to deeply engage with each individuals’ preferences and needs, while staff shortages can increase workloads and cause potential burnout. Also, having to rigid routines can limit staff members ability to be flexible, which is often required for a person-centred approach. 

However, there are practical solutions to help tackle these challenges. Building a team where tasks can be shared, can help to make sure that each caregiver has the support they need to take on a person-centred approach. Implementing check-ins with individuals can make a big difference and by investing in regular staff training, caregivers can understand how they can use person-centred principles within daily routines. By using technology, such as digital care plans or scheduling tools, this can help streamline admin tasks and free up time to engage with individuals more.   

By committing to a person-centred approach, care providers can improve the quality of their service and create a happier, more effective care environment. At Careskills Academy, we’ve got you covered with a range of online training courses tailored to caregivers, and created by healthcare experts, to provide the skills and knowledge needed to adopt a person-centred approach. Our user-friendly platform offers access to over 95 courses, all aligned with the latest health and social care qualifications. We’re here to support your team every step of the way, so that you can transform your care business and meet the highest standards of care.