Dignity in Care

What is the Dignity in Care Campaign?

Launched in November 2006, the Dignity in Care Campaign aims to stimulate a national debate around dignity in care and create a care system where there is zero tolerance of abuse and disrespect of older people. It is led by Government in partnership with many organisations that provide and commission care and protect the interests of those using care services and their carers.

But, dignity is not specific to older people. We all want to be treated with dignity no matter what age or disability. So in Kirklees we want to ensure that everyone who accesses our services, no matter what service they receive, are treated with the dignity and respect we all wish to receive.

Dignity in Care Campaign is about winning hearts and minds, changing the culture of care services and placing a greater emphasis on improving the quality of care and the experience of citizens using services including NHS hospitals, community services, care homes and home support services.

It includes action to:

Raise awareness of dignity in care
Inspire local people to take action
Share good practice and give impetus to positive innovation
Transform services by supporting people and organisations in providing dignified services
Reward and recognise those people who make a difference and go that extra mile

In support of this campaign, people across the country, from all walks of life, are signing up as Dignity Champions.

Poster campaign to promote dignity in care

"I've always been healthy, fit and taken care of myself - now I need help to maintain this."

Betty

Kirklees Council Adult Services and NHS Kirklees have joined forces to launch a poster campaign which will promote dignity in care, highlightingthe need to treat older people with respect.

The posters show older local people who receive services and demonstrate how they have rich life experiences and should not just be seen as people of a certain age who need health and social care support. The posters also use direct quotes about what they expect from health and social care services.

Tackling negative attitudes towards older people is a major focus for Kirklees Council and NHS Kirklees. Both organisations have carried out dignity audits, often led by older people asking the questions, in order to raise standards in hospitals and care homes.

The council has developed strong local branches of the national network of dignity champions set up by the Department of Health. Dignity Champions help by keeping dignity in care high on the agenda. We are constantly encouraging more people to get involved and sign up to this important campaign.

Together with staff and partner agency colleagues we can help tackle this issue just by visiting local people in our areas and talking to residents, as well as listening and looking.

Were asking people who work in health and social care to identify problems and to put people first and put themselves in their shoes. If they think someone is not being treated with dignity and respect, it is their responsibility to do something about it. Together we can stop the abuse of older vulnerable people. Safeguarding vulnerable adults is everyones business.

View the posters online (PDF: 1.17Mb)

What is a Dignity Champion?

A Dignity Champion is someone who believes passionately that being treated with dignity is a basic human right, not an optional extra. They believe that care services must be compassionate, person centered, as well as efficient, and are willing to try to do something to achieve this.

Dignity Champions are willing to:

stand up and challenge disrespectful behaviour rather than just tolerate it
act as good role models by treating other people with respect, particularly those who are less able to stand up for themselves
speak up about dignity to improve the way that services are organised and delivered
influence and inform colleagues

Register as a Dignity Champion

To sign up to be a Dignity Champion:

Website: Register as a Dignity Champion (external site)

How can I get involved locally?

In Kirklees, we have set up a Dignity in Care champions network.

Members come together to:

Meet like minded people
Share good practice
Share innovative ideas
Problem solve
Keep up to date with national and local initiatives
Organise events / meetings to promote Dignity in Care Campaign in house and jointly
Action plan the way forward

Network members are expected to:

act as a channel of communication between their agency and the network.
attend and support Kirklees Dignity in Care Network promotional and other events.
consider relevant policy changes and national areas of concern and development
attend the network which will meet 4 times per year

The dates and venues for the Kirklees Dignity in Care Champions Network for 2012-2013 are as follows:- No dates at the moment

Who can join?

Anyone can register to become a Dignity Champion and anyone can attend the Dignity Champions network. It does not matter what your job role is whether you are a cook, manager or administrator promoting Dignity is your job. Our aim is that all staff will register to become a Dignity Champion and every organisation or team will have a least one Dignity Champion attending the network meetings to represent their team.

Dignity Champion Action Packs

The Dignity Champions Action Packs have been produced to equip Dignity Champions with useful guidance on specific areas of care/legislation. They demonstrate how you can take personal responsibility and play your part in making a difference to someone's care experience.

To access any of the packs, please visit the Dignity in Care national website