What is Person Centred Care?
In recent years, the concept of person centred care had become the cornerstone of health and social care in the UK. But what is person centred care, and why is it so important in ensuring positive health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals?
At Angusfield House, we believe in providing person centred care that values each residents as a unique individual. Our approach focuses on empowering people to make informed decisions about their own care, promoting dignity, respect, and wellbeing throughout the journey of care.
Understanding Person Centred Care
Person centred care, sometimes referred to as personalised care, is an approach that puts the individual at the heart of every healthcare and social care decision. Instead of focusing solely on a health condition or diagnosis, a person centred approach considers the whole person - their preferences, values, history, and person goals.
The Health Foundation defines person centred care as "treatment and care provided in a way that is respectful and responsive to individual preferences, needs and values." It involves empowering people to take ownership of their own health and make choices that support their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Why is Person Centred Care Important?
Providing person centred care helps improve health and wellbeing outcomes, enhances the patient experience, and supports people to live independent and fulfilling lives. When people feel listened to, respected, and involved in their healthcare decisions, they are more likely to engage in their treatment and achieve better health outcomes.
Person centred care is especially important in care home settings, where residents may be dealing with complex health needs, mental health conditions, or receiving palliative care services. By focusing on what matters most to the individual, care workers can build stronger relationships and deliver more compassionate, coordinated care.
The Four Principles of Person Centred Care
There are four widely recognised principles that underpin person centred care:
1 . Respect and Dignity
Professionals treat people with compassion and respect, valuing their individual identity and wishes.
2 . Personalised Care
Care is tailored to meet the unique needs, preferences, and strengths of the person.
3 . Coordinated Care
Services work in partnership to deliver seamless and effective care, avoiding unnecessary stress for the individual.
4 . Enabling Participation
People are actively involved in the decision making process, with access to information and support that enables them to make informed decisions.
These principles are not just best practice - they are essential to creating a health system that is truly inclusive, responsive, and effective.
Supporting Health and Care Through a Person Centred Approach
In the UK, health and care services are increasingly adopting a person centred approach, recognising that a one-size-fits-all model does not deliver the best results for most patients. The goal is to create a system that supports people to manage their own health, build on their own strengths, and live as independently as possible.
This approach is particularly important for people who receive long-term care services or who are managing chronic conditions. Person centred care encourages shared decision making between patients, carers, professionals, and service providers - ensuring that everyone is on the same page when it comes to treatment options and support planning.
The Role of Care Workers and Professionals
Care workers and healthcare professionals play a vital role in delivering person centred care. This involves developing transferrable behaviours and communication skills that enable them to truly understand and respond to individual needs.
Training frameworks and core skills education help care workers gain the knowledge and confidence to provide care that is both clinically effective and emotionally supportive. This includes understanding how to work collaboratively, respect offering coordinated care, and being sensitive to the cultural, spiritual, and personal preferences of those they support.
In a person centred model, the relationship between care provider and service user becomes a partnership, where power is shared and the person's health goals are prioritised.
Collaborative Support Planning
Support planning is a key aspect of person centred care. It is a co-produced process, where the person receiving care is actively involved in setting their own goals and deciding how they would like their care delivered. This collaborative approach helps people feel more in control and ensures that the care provided aligns with their values and lifestyle.
By taking the time to listen, involve, and support individuals in the planning and delivery of care, professionals help enable people to live the way they choose, even when facing health challenges.
Benefits of Person Centred Care
Implementing person centred care across health and care services delivers a range of benefits:
Improved Health Outcomes: People who feel involved in their care are more likely to follow treatment plans and manage their health effectively.
Enhanced Patient Experience: Person centred care helps people feel valued, respected, and heard.
Better Mental Health: Individuals supported in making their own choices often experience lower levels of anxiety and greater emotional wellbeing.
Greater Efficiency: Coordinated care helps reduce duplication of services, saving time and resources within the health system.
Support for Carers: A person centred approach recognises and supports the role of family and informal carers in the decision making process.
Implementing Person Centred Care in Practice
At Angusfield House, our commitment to providing person centred care is embedded in everything we do. From the moment a new resident joins our home, we take the time to get to know their life story, interests, values, and personal preferences. This forms the foundation of a tailored care plan that evolves alongside the person's needs.
Our care workers are trained to adopt a person centred approach in every interaction - whether it's helping someone get dressed, preparing a favourite meal, or providing support during end of life care. We understand that small, everyday choices can have a big impact on a person's quality of life and mental wellbeing.
We also work closely with local authorities, healthcare professionals, and social enterprises to ensure care services are coordinated and responsive. Our goal is to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right way.
Respecting Autonomy and Promoting Independence
A key component of person centred care is respecting a person's autonomy - their right to make their own decisions, even when those decisions involve risk. This can include everything from choosing what to eat and wear, to making more complex healthcare decisions.
Person centred care does not mean doing everything for someone: rather, it means supporting people to do as much as they can for themselves. This focus on ability rather than disability helps build confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
Real-Life Examples of Person Centred Care
Consider a resident living with dementia. Instead of focusing solely on managing symptoms, a person centred approach would explore the individual's history, preferences, and routines. Perhaps they enjoy gardening, listening to classical music, or baking with their grandchildren. By incorporating these elements into daily care, we not only improve wellbeing outcomes but also maintain identity and self-worth.
Or take someone receiving palliative care. A person centred approach ensure that the person's wishes are honoured, that they are surrounded by loved ones, and that they are treated with dignity and compassion until the very end.
Overcoming Challenges
Providing person centred care is not without its challenges. It requires time, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to collaboration. Health and care systems must be willing to adapt, and care providers must invest in training, staffing, and resources to embed this approach into daily practice.
However, the benefits far outweigh the costs. When we treat people as individuals rather than just patients, we create a more compassionate, effective, and human health system - one that truly puts people first.
Putting People First: The Future of Person Centred Care
So, what is person centred care? It is care that respects individuality, promotes independence, and empowers people to take charge of their own health. It's about listening, understanding, and involving individuals in every step of their healthcare journey.
At Angusfield House Care Home, we are proud to champion person centred care as the foundation of our care provision. We believe that everyone deserves to live a life of meaning, dignity, and choice - and we are committed to providing care that reflects this belief every day.