St Dunstan's support Dignity in Care
The Dignity in Care campaign was launched initially in November 2006 with the aim of stimulating an ongoing National debate around Dignity in Care, to create a care system that ensures zero tolerance of abuse and disrespect of adults. The campaign is led by the Government in partnership with many organisations that provide and commission care, to protect the interest of those using care services.
Over two million health and social care staff in the UK work around the clock to provide support and care for those who need it. Currently over 11,000 of those staff have joined forces to ensure that dignity in care is considered as an integral part of service provision.
Before the campaign launched numerous listening events took place around the country to find out what Dignity in Care meant to people. The issues raised at these events resulted in the development of the 10 point Dignity Challenge, and depicts what high quality services that respect people's dignity should include:
- Have 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 personalised 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.
St Dunstan's is working to give assurance that dignity in care for all is considered and provided as an integral part of care delivery on a daily basis for all our clients.
Christine Carlton from Nursing Care is St Dunstan’s Dignity Champion. Christine represents us at the local Dignity in Care forum, her role is to provide a link between St Dunstan's and other local organisations ensuring that issues around dignity are communicated and ideas can be shared about how to integrate into best practice.
If you would like to contact Christine please email , or contact Nursing who will forward communications to Christine.
National Dignity Action Day at St Dunstan's
On 25th February 2011 St Dunstan's joined other organisations again to highlight National Dignity Action Day. To raise awareness day and evening activities were held in our Ovingdean Centre. A poster campaign was used to promote discussion amongst all staff, and to illustrate the importance of continuing the delivery of dignified care.
As St Dunstan’s actively supports the Campaign, we will be organising another action day in February 2012. Other events will be planned and announced in the future.