The Dignity In Care Project Values & Beliefs

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Project Values & Beliefs:

The theoretical aspects of “Everybody Matters” are based upon the work undertaken by Help the Aged and the University of Sheffield (Davies et al. 1999; Nolan et al. 2006)

Their work suggests that:

• Most dignified care is provided when everybody’s
well-being is taken into consideration – patients, their families and hospital staff

• That the quality of relationships between staff, patients and relatives are pivotal when considering dignity in hospitals

• This has been described as ‘a relationship-centred approach’ to care with evidence that dignity flourishes in ‘enriched’ care environments

• To build environments where dignity flourishes a number of ‘SENSES’ need to be satisfied

• When the ‘senses’ are met, patients are likely to
perceive their care in a positive light.


By Caroline Hotopf


Further research evidence to support project values and beliefs:

• A recent literature review by Bridges et al (2010) on Older people's and relatives' experiences in acute care settings found that older patients would like staff to -

- “Connect with me” (create community)

- “See who I am” (maintain identity)

- “Include me” (share in decision making)

* which makes care dignified

• The Dignity in Care Project found that these values are also shared across other patient groups and hospital staff in particular nurses.

 

What do we mean by dignity?

• The concept of Dignity is broad and has varied meanings

• It can mean different things to different people

• Within the Dignity in Care project we have adopted a particular framework - based on the idea that EVERYBODY MATTERS

• Particularly in hospitals it is vital to think that everybody matters and this includes staff as well as patients and relatives when promoting dignity

A whole system approach:

• Dignity Development Units:
Project lead nurses worked with nurses at ward level

• Dignity Leadership Programme:
Action learning supported clinical leaders to promote and sustain dignified care which was sensitive to local need and context

• Embedding in Mainstream:
By developing networks, supporting trust wide change and maintaining momentum