World Patient Safety Day 2023: Engaging Patients for Patient Safety

Elevate the voice of patients!

17 SEPTEMBER 2023

World Patient Safety Day 2023 will be observed on 17 September under the theme "Engaging patients for patient safety", in recognition of the crucial role patients, families and caregivers play in the safety of health care.

Evidence shows that when patients are treated as partners in their care, significant gains are made in safety, patient satisfaction and health outcomes. By becoming active members of the health care team, patients can contribute to the safety of their care and that of the health care system as a whole.

Through the slogan “Elevate the voice of patients!”, WHO calls on all stakeholders to take necessary action to ensure that patients are involved in policy formulation, are represented in governance structures, are engaged in co-designing safety strategies, and are active partners in their own care. This can only be achieved by providing platforms and opportunities for diverse patients, families, and communities to raise their voice, concerns, expectations and preferences to advance safety, patient centeredness, trustworthiness, and equity.

World Patient Safety Day 2023 Virtual Seminar

Objectives of World Patient Safety Day 2023

Raise global awareness of the need for active engagement of patients and their families and caregivers in all settings and at all levels of health care to improve patient safety.
Engage policy-makers, health care leaders, health and care workers, patients’ organizations, civil society and other stakeholders in efforts to engage patients and families in the policies and practices for safe health care.
Empower patients and families to be actively involved in their own health care and in the improvement of safety of health care.
Advocate urgent action on patient and family engagement, aligned with the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030, to be taken by all partners.

Download and Share World Patient Safety Day 2023 Campaign Materials
in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese

Working together to make health care safer

The global campaign for World Patient Safety Day 2023 will propose a wide range of activities for all stakeholders on and around 17 September, including national campaigns, policy forums, advocacy and technical events, capacity-building initiatives and, as in previous years, lighting up iconic monuments, landmarks and public places in the colour orange (the signature mark of the campaign).

Visit the Virtual Health Library's "Window of Knowledge" on Patient Safety for additional information