Dignity in Care: Campaign for Older People (UK)

Dignity in Care campaign for older people

How is the campaign progressing and the work of Leeds Council on dignity

11 March 2009

Dignity in Care is no longer just a mantra - progress on the campaign is kicking in, writes Anabel Unity Sale, and a project in Leeds shows how best practice can be achieved

Everyone wants to be treated with respect when using health and social care services but this simple expectation is not always met. To tackle this, in November 2006 the Department of Health launched a Dignity in Care campaign with the aim of building a care system where the abuse of, and disrespect towards, older people would be met with zero tolerance.

Care services minister Phil Hope says the campaign is about "placing a greater emphasis on the quality of care services in, for example, hospitals, care homes and home help services".

Campaign needed

Help the Aged policy director Paul Cann believes the dignity campaign was needed. "Evidence and our contact with older people shows there are frequent breaches of dignity and respect in health and social care services, despite the National Service Framework for older people," he says. Such breaches include older people not being listened to and having their privacy ignored.

It is crucial to give meaningful substance and depth to the campaign's aims so the term dignity is not just a slogan bandied about without professionals having to act upon it. "We now have a better understanding of what dignity is and it's not just a mantra," Cann says. "Dignity is not being in pain or discomfort, it is not having intimate care carried out while near a patient of the opposite sex."

The 10 Dignity Standards

• ·         Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse.
  
• ·         Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family.
  
• ·         Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalized service.
  
• ·         Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control
• ·         Listen and support people to express their needs and wants.
  
• ·         Respect people’s right to privacy.
  
• ·         Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution.
  
• ·         Engage with family members and carers as care partners.
  
• ·         Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem.
  
• ·         Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation.

SOURCE:    Community Care UK

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