Margaret Graham McDonald, a Public Partner on the ‘What matters to you?’ working group, discusses what is important to her.
I truly believe that the only way to be in the business of caring is to be sure that the care and support is person-centred, meaning that the person that should be the beneficiary of a healthcare system must be involved in the decision-making regarding their wellbeing and the decisions should be holistic.
My son was recently hospitalised in Tokyo whilst on holiday. I was unsure if the Japanese healthcare system would mirror the treatment and care that is provided in Scotland.
What mattered to me was that the standards of care for my son were on par, I visited my son in the hospital in Tokyo several times and found that person-centred care was in operation and it was normal to involve myself, as a carer, in decisions too.
Japan adheres to the World Health Organisations standards, and in terms of a whole systems approach, includes a patient safety plan – the hospital sent a clinician from Japan to Scotland to ensure my son’s safety and wellbeing on the long flight home.
Once back in Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde were at the airport, manned and ready for the medical handover from the Japanese authority, who had all relevant clinical information to handover to those would be caring for my son on his arrival home.
A smooth transfer was made to a local hospital where the care and treatment was excellent. The Japanese clinician was available initially for discussions and background information.
I would like to say that my first experience of encountering person-centred care outside of Scotland was enlightening. I note that we always have something to learn from cultures other than our own, I value my own nation’s work in putting people in control of their health and wellbeing, and appreciate the kindness and compassion inherent in the Japanese healthcare model.
~ Margaret Graham McDonald, Public Partner on the ‘What matters to you?’ working group