World Patient Safety Day 2025: Patient Safety from the Start!
Date: 17 September 2025 Theme: Safe care for every newborn and every child Slogan: Patient safety from the start!
Every year on 17 September, the world comes together to mark World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) – a global movement established by the World Health Assembly through resolution WHA72.6. The day unites patients, families, clinicians, policymakers, and communities to champion safer health care for all.
This year’s campaign, “Safe care for every newborn and every child”, shines a spotlight on the urgent need to protect our youngest and most vulnerable patients. From the very first moments of life, children deserve care that is safe, compassionate, and free from preventable harm.
Why this theme matters
Newborns and children face some of the highest risks of medical harm. Studies show:
- Up to 97% of adverse events in neonatal care are preventable.
- 91.6% of adverse events occur in paediatric intensive care units.
- Unsafe childbirth, infections, diagnostic delays, and medication errors remain leading causes of preventable harm. When we prioritize child-centred safety, we not only save lives but also strengthen health outcomes across the entire lifespan.
Lessons from Ireland: The National Haemophilia Council
A powerful example of collaboration for patient safety is the work of the National Haemophilia Council (NHC) in Ireland.
The NHC was established to ensure that patients with haemophilia and related bleeding disorders received the highest standard of care. What makes it unique is its inclusive governance model: patients, clinicians, managers, and government representatives all sit together to guide decisions.
This whole-system approach has led to:
- Improved clinical pathways and safer treatments.
- National standards of care developed in partnership with patients.
- Greater transparency and accountability across services. The NHC shows what is possible when everyone has a seat at the table. It is a best-practice model that other health systems can adopt to improve patient safety, especially for children living with rare and chronic conditions.
A message from WHIS
Reflecting on the importance of this year’s theme, Gareth Presch, CEO of the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS), said:
“Patient safety is not optional – it is a human right. The National Haemophilia Council in Ireland shows us that when patients, clinicians, managers, and government work together, we can achieve safer outcomes and build trust. On World Patient Safety Day 2025, we must commit to safe care for every newborn and every child, because patient safety truly begins at the start of life.”
Objectives of World Patient Safety Day 2025
The campaign calls on stakeholders worldwide to:
- Raise awareness of safety challenges in paediatric and newborn care.
- Mobilize action through policies, training, and systems that reduce preventable harm.
- Empower families and children to engage in health care decisions and safety education.
- Promote innovation and research in child and newborn safety practices.
Join the movement
On 17 September 2025, WHIS joins the global community in calling for Patient Safety from the Start. By sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and putting families at the centre of care, we can create a world where every child is given the safest possible beginning.
Together, we can make safe care a reality for every newborn and every child.