World Patient Safety Day 2025: Safe care for every newborn and child

Annually on 17 September, World Patient Safety Day shines a spotlight on patient safety worldwide. Established by the World Health Organisation in 2019, the day calls on patients, families, health professionals, and communities to come together to make healthcare safer for everyone.

This year’s theme is ‘Safe care for every newborn and every child – Patient safety from the start!’ highlights the unique risks newborns and young children may face. With their health needs changing rapidly, and their reliance on adults to make decisions, it’s essential that care is delivered safely and appropriately to support healthy growth and development.

WHO’s message is clear, “every child, regardless of background, has the right to safe, quality care from birth onwards”. By working together, health professionals, caregivers, communities and leaders can create safer healthcare environments where children flourish and healthier futures are built.

To mark World Patient Safety Day 2025, we spoke with Practice Owner/Prinicpal Doctor, Dr Sharada Devadas and the team at The Children’s Doctor, a general practice from New South Wales, specialising in maternal, infant and family health. They shared what patient safety means to them and how they’re supporting safer care for children from the very start.

Q. ’Patient safety from the start’ is the slogan of World Patient Safety Day 2025. What does this phrase mean to you in the context of caring for newborns and young children, and how do you apply it in your practice?

‘Patient safety from the start’ is a powerful reminder that every child deserves safe, compassionate care right from their very first moments of life. Newborns and young children are incredibly fragile, both physically and emotionally. They are just beginning their journey in life, and every touch, every decision, and every moment of care matters. We have a deep responsibility to protect them.

In our practice, we put this into action by creating a safe and calm environment for babies and children, as well as the adults who care for them. This commitment shows up in many ways, including:

• Being extra careful with medications and procedures: We double-check everything – doses, patient identity, and instructions – especially because small mistakes can have big consequences in tiny bodies. Taking those extra moments is part of showing respect for each child’s life.
• Partnering with families: Parents and caregivers are not visitors, they’re essential members of the care team. We make time to listen to their concerns, involve them in decisions, and provide them with the information and reassurance they need. Their intuition and love are powerful tools in keeping their children safe.
• Preventing infections and promoting health: From hand hygiene to vaccination support, we prioritise prevention. Teaching families about safe sleep, breastfeeding, and signs of illness helps extend that safety beyond the hospital walls.
• Never becoming complacent: We continuously learn, reflect, and improve. Even after years in practice, we know that patient safety is not a checklist – it’s a mindset, and a commitment renewed every day.

Q. How does your practice tailor healthcare services to meet the unique needs of newborns and small children to keep them safe?

At our practice, keeping newborns and young children safe means more than just preventing harm, it means actively supporting their growth, development, and emotional wellbeing from the very beginning.

To do this, we offer a range of integrated services designed specifically to support newborns, small children and their families:

• Paediatrics: Our paediatricians provide gentle, expert medical care tailored to each stage of development – from newborns to toddlers and beyond. We prioritise early detection and intervention.
• Breastfeeding and infant feeding support: We recognise feeding as a key part of a baby’s health, safety, and bonding, and tailor our support to meet each family’s needs and choices.
• Occupational therapy: Therapy is tailored to each child’s developmental level and sensory needs, helping them build confidence and independence in a safe, supportive environment.
• Psychology with play therapy: We understand that young children communicate and process the world through play. This works wonders in small children.
• Physiotherapy: Children’s physical development is key to their overall safety and mobility. Our physiotherapist works closely with families to support movement, strength, and coordination, whether for babies learning to roll and crawl or children recovering from injury or delays.

Q. What are some of the biggest risks or safety challenges faced by newborns and young children in Australia, and what is your practice’s approach to address these?

The biggest safety challenges for newborns and young children at a national level include perinatal and neonatal mortality, declining immunisation coverage, drowning, and choking hazards.

Even in one of the safest countries to give birth, it is heartbreaking that six babies are stillborn and two die within 28 days each day. Premature birth is a major factor, with nearly one in ten infants born early and often requiring intensive care. From the very beginning, our paediatric and infant-feeding nurse supports safe handling, feeding, and bonding, while guiding families of premature or medically fragile babies with coordinated care and referrals to specialist services.

Falling vaccination rates since the pandemic have left children more vulnerable to serious diseases like whooping cough and measles. We address hesitancy with empathy, provide clear, evidence-based information, and help families stay on track with schedules to keep children protected.

We also work with families on everyday safety. Drowning is a leading cause of hospitalisation for infants, often in bathtubs, so we stress the importance of constant supervision and safe water routines. Choking and suffocation are other common risks, with food, toys, and button batteries among the main hazards. Our practice teaches parents practical safety measures such as removing small objects, managing food and drinks safely, and childproofing the home by covering outlets and keeping hot liquids out of reach.

By focusing on prevention, education, and strong partnerships with families, we aim to give every child the safest possible start in life.

Q. Young children rely on parents and caregivers to speak up and make decision for them. Are there any key strategies or initiatives the practice uses to involve parents or caregivers in the safety of children’s care?

Yes! At our practice, we see parents and caregivers as a complete unit in their child’s care. Because young children cannot advocate for themselves, it’s vital that their parents feel informed, empowered, and supported in every aspect of decision-making – especially when it comes to safety.

For example, we encourage safe practices at home by sharing tips on home safety, such as safe storage of medications or internet safety. We also promote consistency between the home and care environment.

We develop collaborative care planning:

• Involving parents in developing individual care or safety plans, especially for children with allergies, medical needs, or behavioural support needs.
• Using risk minimisation plans shaped with family input.

We keep communication open, we provide:

• Regular updates through newsletters, website and our social channels
• Two-way communication encouraging parents to share concerns and observations.

Q. Can you share an example from your practice that illustrates the importance of patient safety in paediatric care?

One example that comes to mind is ensuring safe prescriptions for a child with Asthma. A six-year-old girl with mild persistent asthma attended the clinic, accompanied by her grandmother, who is her primary daytime caregiver.

Because caregivers may not always be familiar with a child’s medications, clear education and verification are critical. In this case, the GP recognised that the grandmother was unsure about the prescribed dosage. To avoid any risk, the GP asked her to call the clinic from the pharmacy, allowing direct communication with the pharmacist to confirm the correct instructions.

This simple step helped prevent a potential error and reinforced the importance of involving caregivers, verifying medication details, and working closely with pharmacists to ensure accuracy. It is a reminder that in paediatric care, even small oversights can have serious consequences, and safety relies on teamwork and vigilance.

—————–

World Patient Safety Day 2025 is a reminder that protecting newborns and young children depends on prevention, education, and partnership. The team at The Children’s Doctor show how this comes to life in practice, by creating safe environments, involving families, and supporting children’s health from the very beginning. We thank them for sharing their insights and for their commitment to “Safe care for every newborn and every child – Patient safety from the start!”