NMC Royal Hospital forms Patient Advisory Board

Board is made up of hospital patients, who will participate in review and development of hospital policies, services, and systems

March 5 2017. Abu Dhabi:  NMC Healthcare, one of the region’s largest private healthcare providers, has committed to maintaining and increasing high standards of care at NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa, City, Abu Dhabi, by introducing a Patient Advisory Board.

The Board, which is made up of existing patients who reside in the hospital’s surrounding community and is headed by the hospital’s management team, aims to identify the service and expectation gaps at the hospital, and represent the voice of the community in regards to patient care.

The group will actively participate in the development of the hospital policies and systems, helping ensure the planning of services and care streams meet the evolving needs of patients.

Commenting on the introduction of the Patient Advisory Board, Dr. B. R. Shetty, Founder and CEO of NMC Healthcare said: “We have always been committed to providing high quality compassionate care to our patients. Now, with the introduction of the Patient Advisory Board, we are excited to take that commitment forward by ensuring our healthcare delivery mechanisms are patient-centric, and quality remain contemporary and thematic.”

The external Board members are hospital patients who have, in the past, proactively shared their experiences and feedback – both positive and not so positive. Their involvement aims to give the hospital’s decision makers a fresh perspective which might otherwise be lost within committees comprising only internal members. 

Dr B. R. Shetty continued: “The advisory board is designed to consider both the patient and the patient’s family’s needs in a participative, experiential, and collaborative manner, which will ultimately enhance the patient’s holistic hospital experience. 

“The platform will seek information and insights which we will use to empower NMC Royal Hospital on its journey to care excellence. Staff across all levels are committed to working tirelessly to make the Board members an integral part of planning and operations, and in essence, making them the indirect caregivers. We very much look forward to offering a platform explicitly focused on improving outcomes.”

Royal Hospital’s Patient Advisory Board draws inspiration from the UAE Minister of Happiness’s inspiring vision for a thriving society, which is achieved by educating and collaborating with the private sector to put citizen’s happiness at the forefront of its priorities.

Looking ahead, NMC aims to roll the initiative out to its UAE-wide facilities.