Safer use of anticoagulants: Russ’s story

Russ Aiton is a consumer representative on the safer use of anticoagulants project and co-chair of Te kāhui mahi ngātahi, the Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission consumer advisory group.
Russ has left ventricular heart failure with atrial fibrillation.
When he was first prescribed anticoagulants, Russ and his wife did what they were told by his treating clinicians and didn’t feel like they were in a position to challenge what they were being told.
Russ is passionate about making consumers feel confident to ask questions. By sharing his experience, he hopes to help others who find out they need to take an anticoagulant.
Find out more about the work we're doing to make the use of anticoagulants safer on the Te Tāhū Hauora website: www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-work/improved-service-delivery/safer-use-of-anticoagulants.