World Patient Safety Day 2026: Providing safe care for non-communicable diseases
Thursday, 17 September 2026
World Patient Safety Day is celebrated every year on 17 September, and this year’s theme focuses on safe care for people living with non-communicable diseases, with the slogan “Safe care for life!”.
Patient safety means reducing the risk of avoidable harm and making sure people receive safe, effective and person-centred care. This is particularly important for people living with long-term conditions, who may need ongoing support from different parts of the health and care system.
Non-communicable diseases are health conditions that are not caused by an infectious disease and are often long-lasting. They include conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases. Preventing non-communicable diseases, identifying them earlier and helping people manage them effectively remains a priority for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.
One example is our work to support the earlier diagnosis of hypertension and prevent cardiovascular disease. This includes blood pressure checks in opticians and through the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check service. A number of our primary care networks (PCNs) were also involved in CLEAR Living Well – a programme to improve the treatment of people with hypertension.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside, innovative approaches are also being developed to provide safer, more proactive and personalised care for people living with long-term conditions. This includes the work of Warrington Innovation Network PCN and Chapelford Medical Centre, which are developing an ambitious long-term conditions programme bringing together digital and clinical partners.
The initiative uses a range of digital solutions to identify patients living with multiple long-term conditions and provide more coordinated support. This includes aligning appointments around patients’ needs, providing remote support and monitoring between appointments, offering patient education and advising on appropriate exercise programmes to support long-term health.
The approach is based on the principle that long-term conditions should be a diagnosis, not a life-defining feature. By bringing together technology, education, remote monitoring and personalised interventions, the programme aims to create a more proactive care pathway that supports people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Richard Crockford, Director of System Quality Governance at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“Patient safety is about making sure people receive the right care, in the right way, while reducing the risk of avoidable harm. For people living with long-term conditions, this means looking beyond individual appointments or diagnoses and ensuring that care is coordinated, proactive and centred around the person.
“The work taking place across our system demonstrates how prevention, early intervention, technology and personalised support can all contribute to safer care. By identifying health needs earlier and supporting people to manage their conditions, we can help people stay well and maintain their independence.”
To find out more about World Patient Safety Day and to get involved, visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) website.