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Dignity in care
The Dignity in Care Campaign, launched on 14 November 2006, by the Minister for Care Services, Ivan Lewis MP, aims to eliminate tolerance of indignity in health and social care services through raising awareness and inspiring people to take action. To date the campaign has focused on older people; from August 2007, the campaign is being extended to include people with mental health needs.
- About the Dignity in care campaign
- The Minister for Care Services Regional Dignity Tour
- Letter from the Minister for Care Services introducing the campaign
The Dignity challenge
The Dignity Challenge lays out the national expectations of what constitutes a service that respects dignity, based on the learning of the last nine months. It focuses on ten different aspects of dignity. These are the things that matter most to people.
Ivan Lewis is now challenging everyone to see how they measure up to the challenge. That challenge goes out to those who provide, those who receive and those who commission services.
What's new
The latest news including press releases and ministerial speeches.
About Dignity in care for older people
High quality health and social care services should be delivered in a person-centred way that respects the dignity of the individual receiving them. Unfortunately, older people are not always treated with the respect they deserve.
About extending the campaign to mental health services
Subject to further consultation with key stakeholders and mental health users it is intended to extend the dignity in care campaign to focus on the following specific areas of services for people with mental health needs:
• Tackling stigma
• Inpatient
• Older people’s mental health
Nutrition summit and action plan
Delivery of the Nutrition Action Plan (published in October 2007 as a result of nutrition summits in March and July 2007), and information on the Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board.
Become a Dignity Champion
Sign up as a Dignity Champion today and find out more about how you can play your part and make a difference to the way local services are delivered. Sign up online on the Champions Network website or ring 020 7972 4007. Anyone can become a Dignity Champion - all we ask is that you do at least one little thing to make a difference locally. Download the pdf leaflet below to find out more about the role of a Dignity Champion and how to get involved in the Dignity in Care Campaign - please feel free to print off copies of this leaflet to distribute to other colleagues.
- Download leaflet on becoming a Dignity Champion (PDF, 166K)
- Download paper: The role of Dignity Champions (PDF, 248K)
- Online Dignity Champions Network (opens new window)
- Download instructions on how to subscribe online to become a Dignity Champion (PDF, 178K)
- Download a poster of a Dignity Champion to display in your workplace (PDF, 99K)
Dignity in care - your views
Between June and September 2006, the Department asked for your experiences of Dignity in care through our online survey. This feedback has helped us to inform our work at a national level and improve standards of Dignity in care.
- Dignity in care public survey October 2006 - report of the survey
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: weeks nine and ten
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: weeks seven and eight
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: week six
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: week five
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: week four
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: week three
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: week two
- What you are telling us about dignity in care: week one
Listening events
Since February 2006, the Department has been holding a series of listening events across the country. These events gave us the opportunity to talk to older people and their carers about how they felt about the care services they receive, and hear from people who provide those care services as well as organisations representing the interests of older people.
Additional links
A new ambition for old age
About the NSF for older people
The NSF for older people sets new national standards and service models of care across health and social services for all older people, whether they live at home, in residential care or are being looked after in hospital.
Beacon Status for Dignity in Care
Access keys
