Dignity in care launches in Staffordshire

A national campaign which aims to raise awareness of the need for people receiving care services to be treated with dignity has launched in Staffordshire.

The Dignity in Care Campaign aims to change the culture of care services throughout the county and places a greater emphasis on the quality of services in, for example, care homes and home care services.

At the launch, County Councillor Susan Woodward, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities and Older People recently met with Dr Sube Banerjee, Clinical Director of Old Age Psychiatry and Professor of Mental Health and Ageing at King's College London to discuss the campaign in Staffordshire and what it aims to achieve. Dr Banerjee was responsible for developing the national dementia strategy launched by the government this week.

"It is really important that people get behind Dignity in Care locally," says Councillor Woodward. "One of the key objectives of the campaign is to create a care system where there is a zero tolerance approach to the abuse of and disrespect towards people who use care services. Surely this is what we would all hope for, whether it's for a family member, friend or ourselves, should we need care services in the future."

Staffordshire County Council is working in partnership with a number of local agencies to promote the countywide campaign amongst the county's care service providers and public with a number of workshop and public information events planned in 2009.

Cllr Woodward said: "One of the key events taking place will be the Dignity in Care Awards, planned for the summer which will reward and recognise staff and local people that go the extra mile and really make a difference to the dignity of vulnerable adults in Staffordshire. Anyone can nominate people for these awards so it should highlight some great examples of good practice.

"Another element of the campaign will be finding people who are willing to be Dignity Champions - people from any walk of life, not just those who work in the care sector, who, in their own way are committed to taking some action, however small to create a care system that has compassion and respect for using its services."

A Dignity in Care website has been set up with full details of all events as well as online resources, nomination forms and information, go to: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/health/dignityincare

Last Modified: 19/02/2009 13:08:42
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