The Dignity in Care Campaign

Launched in November 2006, the Dignity in Care Campaign aims to put dignity and respect at the heart of care services.

Over 18,000 people have now joined the campaign as Dignity Champions (people who have signed up in support of the need to deliver care services that respect dignity). They are part of a nationwide movement, working individually and collectively, to ensure people have a good experience of care when they need it. They include councillors, staff at all levels in NHS and social care, volunteers, service users, their carers and members of the public.

The 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.

Before the campaign launched numerous listening events took place around he 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. The challenge depicts what high quality services that respect people's dignity should include:

1. Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
2. Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
3. 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 & support people to express their needs & wants
6. Respect People's Right to Privacy
7. Ensure People feel able to complain without fear of retribution
8. Engage with family members and carers as care partners
9. Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem
10. Act to alleviate people's loneliness and isolation

We try to promote awareness of these ten points to everyone involved in Health & Social care. If you can help promote awareness of these by putting up posters, or handing leaflets to people you think can help us with the campaign then please email us at dignityincare@dh.gsi.gov.uk requesting materials to help you promote the campaign.

Everybody can do their little bit to influence others and change the way care is delivered. To support the campaign further & sign up as a dignity champion take a look at our Becoming a Dignity Champion pages.

• Leaflet about the Dignity in Care Campaign and the role of Dignity Champions
  This leaflet can be downloaded locally and handed out to people wanting to know a bit more about the Dignity in Care Campaign and the role of Dignity Champions. N.B When printing out the leaflet; go...