FROM THE FOURTH GENEVA CONFERENCE ON PERSON-CENTERED MEDICINE: MAKING PROGRESS IN PEOPLE-CENTERED CARE: COUNTRY EXPERIENCES

The choice of words such as consumer, patient, person or people to describe the elemental relationship in health systems has a bearing on the goals that health systems are trying to achieve. In particular, to engage in a person-centred discussion, in the absence of recognition of the impact on population health, risks losing sight of the fact that health and the access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. The “centre of care” is a contested space, with multiple elements of health systems usurping the position of people as the “centre” of healthcare activity. Four recent health reforms in New Zealand have impacted on people-centred care. The most recent reform, “Whanau Ora” is a radical re-conceptualisation of health and social support with families occupying the central role.