On trust

"I have problems trusting people because I've been screwed over so many times".

Professor Paul Ward from Flinders University reminded us today of the centrality of trust to people with viral hepatitis accessing health services and adherence to treatment.

There are two levels of trust: personal and systems-based, so trust is not just about the behaviour of the health worker. The health service itself has to place the patient at the centre of its model of care, so that the individual can find a "safe passage" through.

To me, it comes down to acting with integrity and consistency. Do what you say you're going to do.