“Finding the words, changing the

conversations.”

Developing the Principles of Person

Centred Care and Support

Audrey Birt

Champion Person Centred Care and

Support

Why Principles?

“If you talk to a man in a language he

understands, that goes to his head. If you talk

to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

Nelson Mandela

•Shared language

•Touchstone of quality

•Model a co-production approach

Why Co-production?

“If you work alone you go faster; if you work

together you go further.”

Carl Rodgers

In my “early years….how can I treat, or cure, or

change this person? Now I would phrase the

question in this way….how can I provide a

relationship which this person may use for his

own personal growth”

Don Berwick President IHI

• I freely admit to extremism in my opinion of

what patient centred care ought to mean. I

find the extremism is a specific location: my

own heart.

• If we rely on carrots and sticks to improve

care and support we miss the best resource

available to us ; our hearts.

The Principles for Person Centred Careengaging people, organisations, communities with humanity

People in relationship

Compassion and kindness, to enable well being

Equality, mutuality and

individuality

Flexible and empowering culture and system

Trust, respect and empathy

• What do these principles mean to you?

• What can you do differently now in response

to them?

• What can you do differently in the longer

term on your own or with others?

What does this mean for you in

your work with older people?

Margaret Mead

• Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,

committed citizens can change the world;

indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”