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There is so much more that staffcan do to promote respect and patient privacy on wards, as Martin Warnette explains
Privacy and dignity have been the buzzwords of the NHS and nursing over the past few years, yet reports in the media inform us that, as a profession, we are still not getting it completely right.
Clayponds Hospital is a specialised rehabilitation centre in London where dignity has been interpreted as understanding and listening to each individual's needs and considering his or her wishes in relation to their care.
We already close curtains and ensure patients are appropriately covered when undertaking personal care, therapy treatment and wound dressings. We have signs on our curtains requesting people not to walk in and pegs to ensure the curtains are kept closed; but dignity goes much further than this.
In 2012 we introduced dignity champions on the wards who lead locally, developing dignity initiatives. This allows for closer scrutiny of how patients are being treated and earlier remedial action when issues arise. As a member of the Making a...