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Dignity in care
The Dignity in Care Campaign aims to end tolerance of indignity in health and social care services through raising awareness and inspiring people to take action.
Sir Michael Parkinson's year as Dignity Ambassador report
Sir Michael Parkinson has written a personal account of his year as the nation's Dignity Ambassador. In his report he talks about how and why he got involved in the Dignity in Care Campaign, the places he has visited, people he has met along the way and experiences of the services available.
Sir Michael praises the people who inspired him, and highlights small steps that cost nothing, but make a real difference to people's lives. He also calls for out of date stereotypes of older people to be banished and for dignity to be at the heart of care.
BIG - Bright Ideas Grant - "small ideas, big difference"
BIG ideas are original, fresh ideas that need small amounts of cash or a little help to prove they work. They could involve using new technologies or the web. But, equally they could be about very simple changes or actions, those ideas that once you hear them, seem obvious and common sense, yet still need the evidence to prove that they actually work.
Visitors to the B.I.G. website will be able to rate each of the ideas with the top rated ones appearing in a leader board on the home page. Visitors will also be encouraged to comment on ideas to help refine them further. They will also be able to volunteer to assist with ideas flagged with a helping hand.
Visit the B.I.G. website
Dignity Action Day
Dignity Action Day will take place on 25 Feb. It is a day for staff and the public alike to pledge their time to support dignity. There are information packs full of ideas of how you can get involved and you can also make a pledge to tell us what you are going to do on that day.
All this can be found at:
Become a Dignity Champion
Over 10,000 people have now joined the Dignity in Care Campaign as Dignity Champions. 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 being a Dignity Champion - please feel free to print off copies of this leaflet to distribute to other colleagues.
You can sign up online or by ringing 020 7972 4007.
Good Practice Stories
View some stories of good practice (Gateway ref: 13033)
- Southern Cross Healthcare implementing dignity into nursing homes in Birmingham
- Darland House, Gillingham, Kent, illustrating how the use of care plans can ensure individuals dignity
- New hospital robe design highlights how the smallest ideas can help promote dignity
- Newcastle, hot meal delivery service demonstrates how the need for dignity can be found in all care situations
- Portsmouth, St James hospital using sensory improvements to promote dignity
- More good practice (opens new window)
Independent review of the Dignity in Care Campaign – November 2009
Opinion Leader have conducted an independent review of the Dignity in Care Campaign and the impact it has made since it was introduced in November 2006. The review includes a report on dignity metrics in health and social care, published by the NHS Information Centre; case studies on the work of Dignity Champions; a desk top research report; and a Input Assessment of interventions used in the campaign.
The full Dignity Metrics Report is available as a standalone document as part of the National Adults Social Care Intelligence Service (NASCIS) Library.
Dignity in care guide for Overview & Scrutiny Committees
The Dignity in Care Campaign has teamed up with the Improvement and Development Agency (IdeA) and the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) to develop a guide for Overview and Scrutiny Committees to support them in undertaking local scrutiny reviews on dignity in care.
Dignity training for care homes and domicilary care providers
The Dignity in Care Campaign has worked with the care home and domicilary care sector to create dignity specific training which will be sent on CD to all care homes and domicillary care providers in the country in November 2009.
The People’s Award for Dignity in Care
This has been created to officially say thank you to our health and social care staff and highlight the remarkable work they do.
Sir Michael Parkinson, the Dignity in Care Ambassador says: “Most of us will at some point be in contact with care services - be that in our work, or as a service user, a carer, a relative or friend. The People's Award for Dignity in Care is a great way for us to recognise the dedication of health and care staff treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Nominations for the People’s Award 2010 will open later in the Autumn. The public can put forward health and social workers for the award. Members of staff will also be able to nominate their colleagues, if their nomination is supported by a member of the public.
The Dignity Challenge
The Dignity Challenge lays out the national expectations of what constitutes a service that respects dignity. It focuses on ten different aspects of dignity. These are the things that matter most to people.
The Dignity Tour and Dignity Ambassador visits
In 2008 the Minister for Care Services took part in a regional tour to help share best practice on dignity in care and to raise the profile of the campaign. The National Dignity Ambassador, Sir Michael Parkinson accompanyed him on part of the tour and has since attended various conferences/events in his role.
The Dignity in Care practice guide
In partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) we have developed an online practice guide.
The guide has been designed to help support people front-line workers, practitioners, managers, commissioners as well as older people themselves and their carers to take up the Dignity Challenge. It includes detailed information about what we mean by dignity in care, practical advice and tips on how you can make a difference with instant help for those using the Dignity Challenge.
Dignity in Care Matters – conference, 25 November 2008
200 Dignity Champions from across the nation joined together to attend the National Dignity Champions conference 'Dignity in Care Matters' held in London.
Dignity in mental health services
The Dignity in Care Online Practice Guide has been extended 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.
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
Before the launch of the campaign in November 2006 the Department held a series 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
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