January 29, 2014 10.23 am This story is over 122 months old

Lincolnshire hospitals prepare for Dignity Day

Dignified care: Staff at Lincolnshire hospitals will host a range of events as part of national Dignity Day.
Photo: C3A

Staff in Lincolnshire hospitals are getting ready to vow their commitment to patient dignity as part of a national Dignity Action Day.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is supporting the event in February 1, which aims to ensure patients are treated as individuals, given choice, control and a sense of purpose in their lives.

This year, Dignity Day hopes to host ‘digni-tea’ events across the country, encouraging people to spend time with people who might be lonely and isolated.

Lincolnshire wards and departments have planned activities such as dignity displays and asking patients what dignity means to them.

There will also be poster competitions and ‘digni-tea’ parties on the wards.

Trust-wide Senior Chaplain at ULHT, Tim Couchman, said: “In recent years the importance of the dignity in care agenda has rightly increased within the health and social care context.

“As a Trust we are actively engaged in the wider national dignity agenda as we seek to improve standards in dignified care in all our clinical areas and departments.

“National Dignity Action Day is intended to set aside one special day to focus and celebrate all the excellent work that our teams undertake in relation to dignity in care throughout the rest of the year.

“As a Trust we have introduced a number of initiatives to encourage dignity in our hospitals.

“These include the Dignity in Care Policy and Dignity Action Forum, which aims to provide assurance in relation to all issues relating to dignity in care.

“Our Patient Well-Being Champion Programmes help to train our staff to promote a quality patient experience and our Dignity in Care Pledges outline the standards of care patients can expect during their time in our hospitals.”

ULHT’s Dignity in Care Pledges are:

  • We pledge to be kind and compassionate at all times
  • We pledge to treat you with courtesy, dignity and respect
  • We pledge to respect your personal space
  • We pledge to preserve your modesty
  • We pledge to meet your dietary needs
  • We pledge to care for you as a valued individual