Mid Essex Hospitals championing dignity in care
With a network of nearly 600 dignity champions and growing, Mid Essex excels in dignity in care.
The Trust take part in the Dignity in Care campaign led by the National Dignity Council which pledges to promote and present dignity in hearts, minds and actions, changing the culture of care services and placing a greater emphasis on improving the quality of care and the experience of those cared for in hospital.
The Dignity Champions at the Trust work to ensure that dignity is considered as a fundamental element of patient care, and that the hospital provides compassionate and person-centred services. The Dignity Champions hold regular staff dignity forums to discuss projects and share ideas.
The Trust agreed to meet the Department of Health’s Dignity Challenge, which highlights ten points for consideration; among them is having zero tolerance of all forms of abuse, treating each person as an individual by offering a personalised service, and respecting people’s right to privacy.
Angela Wade, Professional Development Lead Nurse and Dignity Lead for the Trust said:
“Here at the Trust we are passionate about dignified care and creating a dignified environment for our patients and staff. We are currently working on three core improvement projects which include dignified behaviour, a dignified environment, and dignified patient clothing.
“As part of the Trust’s culture project we are focusing on behaviours that promote dignified care. We have a patient experience and dignity in care section on corporate induction for all new staff joining the organisation as well as staff development and action forums to continually support staff. We have developed a short film that summarises what dignity means to us at Mid Essex (watch the video below or at: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYsxc_cGV1Y )
“By listening to patients and staff we have initiated service improvements across many areas of the hospital, including the introduction of privacy windows in stroke and elderly care and the dermatology outpatients department having privacy improved in their waiting area. We have also purchased 50 personal listeners and 20 desktop hearing loops to support those who have hearing loss during their hospital visits, made possible through the extremely kind donations from the Friends at Broomfield.
“We have also seen the introduction of the modesty theatre gown for patients, and ‘winter warmer’ packs for some of our most vulnerable patients on the emergency floor.”
For further information and dignity improvement suggestions please contact Angela Wade at angela.wade@meht.nhs.uk or on 01245 51(5166)
Last updated on 09 December 2014.
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