Why is personalisation important in health and social care?

The term ‘personalisation’ has become increasingly common in the context of a movement that recognises the importance of people’s individuality and their right to exercise choice in their daily lives. In the fields of health and social care, personalisation focuses on placing the individual at the centre of their care and an understanding that they know best what their needs are and how to meet them (Carr 2008). Personalisation can be as significant as a direct payment or individual budget, or as small as supporting a resident in a care home to decide for themselves when they should go to bed.