Royal College Of Nursing Takes Action To Put Dignity At The Heart Of Health And Social Care

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 14 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Nurses are today leading the way in breaking down the barriers that prevent every patient from receiving dignified care. The launch of a complete package of resources will enable the nursing team to provide the best possible care for patients on every ward and in every community.

Earlier this year, a survey from the Royal College of Nursing found that eight out of ten nurses leave work feeling distressed or upset because they felt that they weren't able to ensure that their patients received the care they deserved.

Today, the RCN, supported by Smith and Nephew Healthcare Ltd, is launching a complete package of resources created by nurses, for nurses, that will help put dignity at the heart of everything they do.

Speaking ahead of the launch at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals, in Liverpool, Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

"Politicians on both sides of the divide have made pledges on improving patient dignity, but today the RCN is taking action and launching two resource packs that represent a giant leap towards providing dignified care for every patient and client in every part of healthcare.

"Dignity should not be an after thought or an optional extra. Each and every patient - whether they are in a hospital, a GP's surgery, in the community or in a care home - deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Dignity should be integral to nursing care and this campaign is a big step in the right direction."

The Practice Support Pack, Delivering Dignified Care, was developed by the RCN and Help the Aged working together. It will enable the nursing team to share best practice by holding workshops locally, so that everyone in health and social care put patient dignity at the heart of everything they do.

This resource includes a DVD with anecdotes of why patient dignity is so important, short films that illustrate how people feel when they don't receive dignified care and examples of how many nurses across the country are already leading the way in providing dignified patient care.

The influencing pack, Small changes make a big difference, will help nurses develop their influencing skills so that they can take practical steps to maintain and promote dignity for patients in their workplace.

The Dignity Influencing Resource and Dignity Practice Support Pack will be available through the RCN website at www.rcn.org.uk/dignity, RCN Direct on 0845 772 6100, or by email dignity@rcn.org.uk.

The RCN Dignity at The Heart of Everything We Do campaign is sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Smith and Nephew Healthcare Ltd.

The RCN ran a membership survey between 11 February and 3 March 2008 to investigate the attitudes and experiences of members of dignity, using online software available through the RCN website. 2,047 members took part in the survey from across the UK.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

http://www.rcn.org.uk