Dignity: at the heart of everything we do

1. Dignity: at the heart of everything we do Pauline Ford RCN Dignity campaign lead Pauline.Ford@rcn.org.uk

2. This presentation aims to: • Share the goals and objectives of the campaign • Detail the scoping process for the campaign • Share campaign products and plans • Invite involvement and participation

3. Dignity - RCN definition,2008 Dignity is concerned with how people feel, think and behave in relation to the worth or value of themselves and others. To treat someone with dignity is to treat them as being of worth, in a way that is respectful of them as valued individuals. In care situations dignity may be promoted or diminished by: the physical environment; organisational culture; the attitudes and behaviour of the nursing team and others; and the way in which care activities are carried out. When dignity is present people feel in control, valued, confident, comfortable and able to make decisions for themselves. When dignity is absent people feel devalued and lacking in control and comfort. They may lack confidence and be unable to make decisions for themselves. They may feel humiliated, embarrassed or ashamed. Dignity applies equally to those who have capacity and to those who lack it. Everyone has equal worth as human beings and must be treated as if they are able to feel, think and behave in relation to their own worth or value. The nursing team should, therefore, treat all people in all settings, and of any health status, with dignity, and dignified care should continue after death.

4. A Team Effort – staff & members • The RCN President, Maura Buchanan, is the Campaign champion • 26 members of RCN staff from all parts of the UK are contributing their time and expertise to the campaign • 60 members of the RCN from across the UK are contributing to the campaign either through: • Membership of the practitioner advisory group • Membership of the key work strands

5. Making a difference • We have committed ourselves to practical, helpful products that could make a difference. • We have identified 6 pieces of work as a result of the scoping exercise that the RCN will undertake. • An interactive practice support pack • An influencing resource • Emergency care principles • Internal RCN policy and charter on dignity at work • An E-Learning resource • Commissioning guidance for Dignity

6. Three key priorities • E-Learning resource - available on the RCN Learning Zone. To aid personal learning in relation to dignity. • Interactive practice support pack - for use in the work place. It has been developed in partnership with Help the Aged. It consists of a DVD with filmed vox pops, vignettes and case studies and a guided narrative helping staff to explore nursing practice. The DVD will be accompanied by some carefully selected resources and a facilitators pack for use by the nurse leading the learning session • Influencing resource - how do nurses make the case for the resources they need? Tips and techniques: a “how to” guide on presenting a case, identifying opportunities and making Dignity central to the organisations ambitions

7. Campaigning activities • We undertook an online survey of Nursing staff on Dignity - we had 2000 responses which informed our research report launched today • We are launching our e-learning resource and the Principles for emergency care developed in partnership with the patients association • Plans for each work strand have been developed and each will be launched during 2008 • Establish a process for engaging with external stakeholders • Talking with Government and employers about the need to prioritise Dignity.

8. Campaign Objectives • Provide UK nurses in all professional sectors with a definition of what constitutes ‘dignify in care’ and say why it matters • Highlight and promote excellence in nursing practice. • Provide senior nurses with learning material that will support a change in professional practice and an improvement in the quality of patient /client care. • Demonstrate to the public that nursing staff care deeply about providing dignified nursing care. • Demonstrate that the Royal College of Nursing is responding decisively to an issue of professional and public concern. • Maintain and develop relationships with key stakeholders such as Help the Aged and the Patients Association. • Lobby for positive changes in the culture of the health services that will ensure that nursing staff can provide dignified care to their patients and clients.

9. Your support is crucial • Make dignity a priority in your organisation • Actively challenge undignified practice and ways of working • Demonstrate that you value the good work that your staff undertake • Promote the RCN with examples of the good practice that takes place • Host RCN Dignity workshops contact Pauline.Ford@rcn.org.uk