Principles of Consumer Enablement

The goal of consumer enablement is for consumers, carers and communities to work in true partnership with healthcare providers, to achieve outcomes that matter to them.

Vision

• Consumer enablement is based on the principles of person-centred care, which is a key component of high-quality healthcare.
• A thorough assessment of each person as an individual is essential. Physical, psychological, social, literacy and environmental factors should be assessed where appropriate, according to relevant and evidence-based impact scales.
• Assessments should always be underpinned by clinical judgement and decision making in partnership with the person.

Guiding principles

• Partnership:
  consumers are engaged as true partners in their healthcare.
• Compassion and empathy:
  healthcare is always delivered with compassion and empathy.
• Trust:
  two-way trust is established and maintained.
• Carers and family:
  the support and expertise of carers, families and communities is recognised, encouraged and valued.
• Diversity:
  diversity is valued, and the different needs of people are understood and provided for.
• Continuous learning:
  consumers and clinicians strive to continuously improve their knowledge, skills, health literacy and self-management strategies, and foster environments that support ongoing learning.

What does success look like?

• Consumers are active participants in managing their own health, and we identify what matters most to them.
• Consumers and healthcare providers work in genuine partnership to support the consumers’ wellness and healthcare needs.
• The health system delivers funding models and policies that support consumer enablement principles and approaches.
• Healthcare providers across NSW promote the delivery of safe, coordinated and integrated care, centred on people’s needs.