Most of us at some point in our lives will be in contact with care services, be that in our work, as a service user, carer, relative or friend and when we do we hope we will be treated with Dignity and respect. Over 2 million health and social care staff in the UK work around  the clock to provide support and care for those in need. Over 20,000 of those staff have joined forces to provide a more dignified service in their place of work.

BCHA is helping to make sure that dignity is a reality for all. Over and above the care that BCHA provides on a daily basis we are running an event as part of a national day of action to promote Dignity in Care.

BCHA will be holding a Dignity in Care Award event where residents, visitors and relatives can nominate any member of BCHA staff that they feels contributes to the Dignity of the people in our care. Also, we will be creating a handy, pocket sized guide for residents, relatives and staff that describes what dignity in care looks like.  The activity will promote the dignity of those in the care of BCHA by reminding residents and their relatives what they should expect from us and will remind staff what they should deliver to our residents.

Dignity Action Day is on 25th February 2011 which will coincide with the opening of the nominations for the staff Award.

Dignity Action Day is a national initiative led by the Dignity in Care Campaign and it’s key partners to bring staff and members of the public together to make a difference to those in care.

In the words of Sir Michael Parkinson who supports the campaign ‘It might well be that the difference people make individually is a mere ripple on the surface of our care system, but each of those ripples added together create a wave, a social movement and if that makes life better for some – then it has to be worthwhile. Dignity in care must be everybody’s business, I hope people will do whatever is in their power to make a difference.”

Dignity Action day gives everyone the opportunity to contribute to upholding people’s rights to dignity and provide a truly memorable day for people receiving care. Dignity Action Day aims to ensure people in care are treated as individuals, are given choice, control and a sense of purpose in their daily activities and  are provided with stimulating activities.

Anybody can support dignity action day to find out more log onto http://www.dignityincare.org.uk where resource packs full of ideas and useful information for staff and members of the public to support Dignity Action Day can be found.