Dignity in Care Award 2009 - Regional Winner - East Midlands Region

The 2009 Health and Social Care Award for Dignity in Care - East Midlands region award went to:

Disabled Card Group, Adult Social Services

Disabled card group project is a small scheme developed by Nottinghamshire County Council to combat negative attitudes towards disabled people who don't appear to have a physical disability, using disabled facilities.

Forms of disabilities are not always recognised through physical appearances. Residents in the Nottinghamshire area have been challenged by members of the public who can't see why someone who appears to be in full health, would need to use the disabled services provided.

In response to the continuation of disabled residents feeling embarrassed when challenged about their disability, the council has developed a disability card that users can show when challenged.

Before the introduction of the cards, the council firstly introduced a trial period of six months with ten disabled people from the local community. Feedback was extremely positive and the card enabled users to feel confident when using facilities.

The project has improved the lives of over 1,000 residents by ensuring they have the confidence to show their card if challenged when using public disabled facilities. The council has introduced a simple way for users to get a card by completing a form and providing £10 cheque, meaning access to the internet is not necessary.

As a result of the positive feedback the council is looking to extend the card for disabled children and the project has been recommended by The National Audit Commission as a scheme to be adopted on a national level by all councils.

The two runners up were:

Bassetlaw PCT Provider Arm and Public Modernisation Board

The Bassetlaw PCT Provider Arm is a programme designed to implement ways in which carers can offer a dignified and compassionate service for patients who only have a short time to live due to terminal illness.

The project was developed in 2007 following the Essence of Care Privacy and Dignity benchmarking process which identified areas for improvement in patients' comfort and dignity to minimise pain and trauma.

In addition to this there had been rising concern amongst professionals from all Provider Arm Service areas that staff were being rushed and could not carry out the appropriate care required, or fulfil the national 'Releasing Time to Care' agenda.

As a result, Bassetlaw PCT has introduced a number of new ways of working. The Dignity Challenge has been worked into the agenda of all Heads of Department who act as Dignity Champions and attend regular meetings to empower staff to show compassion and respect when working with patients.

Identified through this process, was the need to address the emotional support that carers require when caring for patients who are terminally ill. In 2007 a separate support and educational session for carers was established which has led to the development of the Bassetlaw Carers Support Programme.

The programme has resulted in staff feeling more supported in their roles. Positive feedback has been received from patients through thank you letters and surveys have demonstrated the benefits of this approach to care.

Sycamore Court

Based in Leicester, Sycamore Court is a 12 bed residential home that aims to provide care for people with moderate learning disabilities. As well as providing round the clock care to those who require more support with their daily living routines, this project also provides care within standalone bungalows which give each patient the opportunity to lead a more independent life.

First established in 1989 by a group of parents who recognised the need to care for children with a learning disability within their daily routines, the project has since led the way in providing good quality care.

Sycamore Court is owned and supported by a large housing association and also works alongside the local health authority and PCT to establish the needs of its residents with the aim of moving away from institutional care and to supporting them to live a more independent life. The project has recognised the need for people to live independently while still having access to regular care.

This initiative has improved the daily living skills of residents as they move from constant care to semi-independent living. The service continues to grow and in 2006 it won a tender to provide 100 hours of support to another care unit consisting of five houses in the area. The service has also expanded in the wider Leicester area by supporting 29 individuals to live in their own homes.

The standard of care provided is relaxed and personal to each individual and staff respect that they are working in someone's home. By supporting individuals, this project has enabled people with moderate learning disabilities to integrate with society and helped to improve their lives.