A Dignified Revolution

Alone we can do so little; together we achieve so much!

Older people deserve better care. A Dignified Revolution is a group of individuals, the majority of whom are nurses, who want to improve the care of older people in hospital. It was launched in January 2008. The impetus to establish the initiative was driven by:

• the distress that these individuals had experienced because of the poor care that their relatives had received whilst in hospital, and their concern that others might find themselves in the same situation
• the realisation that the lack of dignity and respect that older people tolerate when in hospital is not a recent phenomenon. The issue was first publicised in 1997. Ten years on, despite extensive media attention and numerous reports and guidance from government, little has changed

Many nurses provide outstanding care. However, the attitude and behaviour of other nurses when caring for vulnerable older people does not reflect the duty of care that they have towards their patients.

The experience of many of us involved in A Dignified Revolution is that:

• many nurses do not consider that basic nursing care is part of their role. Instead, they consider it is the role of the healthcare assistant
• the public do not appear to be aware that registered nurses are responsible for the supervision and care actions of support workers. They have a duty of care to the patient regardless of who provides the basic nursing care and this duty of care makes them accountable in law
• doctors are seen to be more supportive and caring than nurses
• many of the poor experiences being shared are being reported by health professionals who work in various parts of the NHS. The system seems to inhibit them challenging practices which are demeaning their professions

A Dignified Revolution is calling for the NHS to:

The deep-rooted and negative attitudes of professionals must change. Older people are the core users of NHS hospitals. Those aged over 65 account for around 60% of admissions and 70% of bed days in general hospitals. By 2025, the number of people over the age of 65 will have increased by 50% and the number over 80 by 80%, with corresponding increases in physical impairment, dependency or multiple long term conditions.

We would all do well to take heed of the Bombay Hospital motto that has been adapted from a quotation made by Mahatma Gandhi. It reminds us that:

A patient is the most important person in our hospital. He is not an interruption to our work; he is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our hospital; he is a part of it. We are not doing a favour by serving him; he is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so

Does your local hospital pass the Gandhi challenge?

If you would like more information about A Dignified Revolution please email: info@dignifiedrevolution.org.uk or visit their website http://dignifiedrevolution.org.uk

• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter - Dec 2012
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter - Nov 12
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter - Oct 12
  Includes: End of life care in extra care housing: learning resource pack for housing, care and support staff, Service users play vital role in improvements and A recipe to tackle malnutrition among...
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter - Sept 12
  Including: The village where people have dementia and fun, Peer support in mental health and learning disability and Get some patient power.
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter: August 2012
  Includes: SMILE for Dignity, National Care Quality Forum Launches Call for Evidence for Good Practice, Malnutrition - can you help?
• The Dignified Revolution Newsletter - June 12
  Includes: Diamond champions, RCGP caring about carers awards and Helping Hospitals Deliver Better Care: A new toolkit for quality improvement.
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter May 12
  This months newsletter includes: Gwent nurse wins award for outstanding service, Nursing in Practice Respect Campaign, Improving continence care for care home residents
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter: April 12
  This Month's newsletter includes: Improving the patient experience through Transforming Care, New code established to safeguard older people's dignity in care and Improving end-of-life care: professional...
• A Dignified Revolution Newsletter: Mar 12
  including: Equal care for learning disabled people, Dignity - Little Things Make a Big Difference and NHS patient experience framework