ICGP call on GPs to practice self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic on World Patient Safety Day (17th September)
(embargo 0100 Sept 17th) The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the professional education & training body for GPs in Ireland is urging GPs to take the time to address any health concerns they may have themselves as part of World Patient Safety Day 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the serious difficulties health workers are facing worldwide while responding to this unprecedented global public health challenge. As a result, the World Health Organisation (WHO) are using World Patient Safety Day 2020 to highlight the importance of health worker safety for patient safety.
The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2020 is “Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety”, focusing on the relationship between health worker safety and patient safety, reflected in the slogan ‘Safe health workers, Safe patients’.
Dr Andrée Rochfort, Director of Quality Improvement & Doctors Health Programme at the ICGP said: “On World Patient Safety Day, GPs are encouraged to plan to take some time out for non-work activities. They could also use this day as an opportunity to make an appointment to see their own GP for any health concerns they may have themselves.”
President of the ICGP Dr Margaret O Riordan said:“Healthcare worker self-care is really important at any time, but particularly during this pandemic. It’s important to encourage and support doctors to put time aside to take care of themselves. The College provides a range of support services for members including the aim that every GP and GP Trainee should have a GP.”
The WHO is proposing a call for action “Speak up for Health Worker Safety!” which requests urgent and sustainable actions by all stakeholders to recognise and invest in the safety of health workers, as a priority for patient safety.
For more information on World Patient Safety Day go to: https://www.who.int/patientsafety/world-patient-safety-day/en/.
For details on the ICGP’s doctors’ health programme go to: https://www.icgp.ie/go/in_the_practice/doctors_health