Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Often, involving patients, families and whānau in the design of healthcare solutions and projects, known as co-design, makes the mistake of bringing in people after key decisions about the project are made. These key decisions can include understanding of what the problem really is that the project is trying to address. We argue for “true” co-design where patients, families and whānau are involved right from the beginning, and show evidence from mental health, where true co-design has reduced rates of seclusion in mental health facilities. (Seclusion is where a person in need of care is placed in a room alone.)