Policy makers have been aspiring to a ‘patient-centred NHS’ in England for at least 20 years. In 2008, patient experience became a key part of the national definition of quality in healthcare; and in 2012 that was codified in law.
Person-centred care has become an increasingly prominent stated ambition both of national policy and local practice. In 2013, the Department of Health and all the system leading bodies across health and social care in England declared a shared commitment to making ‘person-centred coordinated care’ the normiv.

What difference, if any, have these stated ambitions made to the experiences of people who need and use services and support? We wanted to know.

National Voices stands for people being in control of their health and carev. From 2011 we have been at the forefront of making the case for person-centred care. There is a growing body of evidence that person-centred approaches are important for ensuring the overall quality of care and for improving health and wellbeing outcomes.