LINKs CONFERENCE 22/02/08 Dignity

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LINKs CONFERENCE22/02/08Dignity

Martin Wilson
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What is Dignity?

• Dignity consists of many overlapping aspects,
  involving respect, privacy, autonomy and
  self-worth.
• A standard dictionary definition
• Dignity - A state, quality or manner worthy of
  esteem or respect and (by extension) self-
  respect.

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What is the Dignity Challenge?

• The dignity challenge is a clear statement of
  what people can expect from a service that
  respects dignity. It is backed up by a series of
  dignity tests that can be used by providers,
  commissioners and people who use services to see
  how their local services are performing

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Background to the Dignity Challenge?

• Ivan Lewis MP
• Minister for Care Services, Department of Health
• Our challenge is to put dignity at the heart of
  care services
• Health and social care working in partnership
  with a range of organisations who represent and
  work with older people and those who care for
  them

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Legislation background to the Dignity Challenge?

• Independence well-being and choice - green paper
  (2005)
• Our health, our care, our say white paper
  (2006)
• Outcomes framework for performance assessment of
  adult social care.(2006)
• improved health and emotional well being,
• improved quality of life,
• making a positive contribution,
• increased choice and control,
• freedom from discrimination and harassment,
• economic well-being,
• maintaining personal dignity and respect

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Why develop a Dignity Challenge?

• There is evidence that in organisations there
  are various factors that highlight the absence of
  dignity in care. These include
• Bureaucracy
• Poor management
• Lack of leadership
• Inappropriate training and induction
• Difficulties with recruitment and retention
• Overuse of temporary staff

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The Dignity Challenge

• High quality services that respect peoples
  dignity should
• Have a 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
• 4 Enable people to maintain the maximum possible
  level of independence, choice and control
• 5. Listen and support people to express their
  needs and wants

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The Dignity Challenge

• 6. Respect peoples right to privacy
• 7. Ensure people feel able to complain without
  fear of retribution
• Engage with family members and carers as care
  partners
• 9 Assist people to maintain confidence and a
  positive self esteem
• 10. Act to alleviate peoples loneliness and
  isolation

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Support people with the same respect you would
want for yourself or a member of your family

• By this we mean
• People should be responded to in a courteous and
  considerate manner, ensuring time is taken to get
  to know people
• People receiving services are helped to
  participate as partners in decision making about
  the services and support they receive.
• People are encouraged and supported to take
  responsibility for managing themselves in
  conjunction with, when needed, staff and other
  information and support services.

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Support people with the same respect you would
want for yourself or a member of your family (2)

• Dignity tests
• Are we polite and courteous, even under pressure?
• Is our culture about providing services for
  people and supporting them rather than being
  about tasks?
• Do our policies and practices emphasise that we
  should always try to see things from the
  perspective of the person receiving the services?
• Do we ensure people receiving services are not
  left feeling isolated or alone?

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The Dignity Challenge - Workshop

• Identify two things that you will do or will
  change at work which will improve the dignity of
  the people you work with (either service users or
  colleagues). Place on appropriate Dignity
  Challenge
• Agree these with your Assistant Director and
  place on the appropriate challenge and agree with
  your line manager at your next supervision
  session and action.

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Become a Dignity Champion today call 0207 972
4007or sign up at www.dignityincare.org.uk

• Improve local services with the Dignity in Care
  Practice Guide at
• www.scie.org.uk/practiceguide09/

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