Dignity in Care newsletter: March 2011

24/03/2011 If you only do three things this month...

Share your Dignity Action Day stories:

Inspire others by sharing your experiences of the Dignity Action Day 2011: submit your stories, memories and photographs.

Submit your stories in the DAD memory book

Protect someone's dignity:

Jennifer Mort, an Auxiliary Nurse in the East Midlands, says: "Sometimes patients are brought to our outpatient department from other areas or wards and they are inappropriately dressed so to protect their dignity, keep them warm and treat them as I would want to be treated, I get them a blanket or dressing gown. This is something I do as part of the ten dignity challenges."




As a Champion you will know what works and what doesn't, so we would like to hear your action ideas for ensuring dignity in care.

Email your recommended actions

Check out the Dementia Gateway:

SCIE's Dementia Gateway resource provides practical tips, tools and activities to support anyone who works with or cares for someone with dementia. It has nine sections including end of life care, young onset dementia and difficult situations.

Check out the Dementia Gateway

Your stories
Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories. We have been featuring them on the website and recent stories have included Ann's experiences of being a dignity champion at Coombe care home, original poems 'You never asked me' and 'Dignity Tree' both written by champions and champion Debbie Cole's 'communicating successfully' article. Here we share the experiences of champion Pat Jago. Pat says:

"I run a Community Centre for anyone who would like to be involved and most of the people who use it are older people. I find the most important ideas come from them. When I started I asked what they most liked to do and the biggest idea was play whist. I was no expert so I told them they would have to teach me and the dear lady who took me on was good - even now she is in my head when I do something wrong just shows how strict she was."


Read the rest of Pat's story
Read original poetry by dignity champions

Send us your stories

Champion of the month

Lisa Stone, Service Manager at North & South Dales and High Peak Older Adults CMHT nominated Beverly Taylor, a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN). She said:

"Bev has faced many personal tragedies throughout the year but this hasn't stopped her being an excellent CPN and advocate for her patients. She is always a positive and calming influence on the team.

"Bev's manner towards both staff and patients alike is exemplary, and over the months she has blossomed in her role and is very well thought of by all that her meet her. She constantly goes above and beyond her remit.

"Bev mentors student Nurses and while some of them can have a negative view of older people initially, Bev has worked tirelessly to help change this opinion with great success."

Well done Bev - you are dignity champion of the month March 2011!

Useful information and articles

In February a report by the Health Service Ombudsman raised concerns about treatment of older people by the NHS. The ombudsman's Care and Compassion report carried out an in-depth review of 10 cases. The findings were covered nationally and highlighted the importance of dignity in care. This report has provided an opportunity for Champions to talk locally about the actions they are taking to ensure people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. If you have stories to share please do send them to dignityincare@scie.org.uk.

Read the Ombudsman's Care and Compassion report

Hungry, thirsty, unwashed: NHS treatment of the elderly condemned - The Independent

Nurses 'trained to promote dignity' - BBC

National Dignity Day 25th February - Cheshire Local News

Advocacy in social care for groups protected under equality legislation (PDF)

Plymouth praised for way it cares for vulnerable adults

Nurse-led programme slashes dementia patient hospital stays - Nursing Times

Who cares for the elderly? - The Telegraph


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Social Care Institute for Excellence
Goldings House
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Telephone: +44 (0)20 7089 6840
Email: dignity@scie.org.uk
Web: http://www.dignityincare.org.uk/