UK - Government asks watchdogs to ensure dignity is a priority in health and care services

Citation

(2006), "UK - Government asks watchdogs to ensure dignity is a priority in health and care services", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 19 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2006.06219eab.003

UK - Government asks watchdogs to ensure dignity is a priority in health and care services

UK

Government asks watchdogs to ensure dignity is a priority in health and care services

Keywords: Care of the elderly, Human rights, Partnership working

Health and social care watchdogs have been asked to put older people’s dignity at the centre of their investigations. The announcement comes as the national director for older people, Professor Ian Philp, publishes the second phase of the Government’s ten-year plan to improve services for older people.

Minister Liam Byrne said: “Dignity is everybody’s business. So we’ll be asking watchdogs, nurses, doctors and newly appointed older peoples champions to join together with one goal: to make dignity in care a priority.”

As part of his plans Professor Philp will work with the Chief Nursing Officer, who is set to issue a report addressing the role mental health nurses can play in improving dignity in care for older people. The CNO’s review will make recommendations about the way improved skills can benefit care and provide clear leadership to ensure dignity and respect are embedded in to services.

Liam Byrne and Professor Philp also plan to rejuvenate the Older People’s Champions Network, which helped root out age discrimination in the NHS and will act as a change agent to ensure older people are treated with respect for their dignity and human rights.

Professor Ian Philp said: “In the first phase of our ten year plan we made great strides in access for older people to services including over 100 per cent rise in breast screening of the over 65s, increased hip replacements and cataract operations and meeting our target for supporting older people to live at home. I will be working with the Minister to ensure these increased services are delivered in a way that secures older people’s dignity.”

A New Ambition for Old Age, the second phase of the Government’s ten year National Service Framework (NSF) for older people will encourage the involvement of older people in service planning and also focus on improving the integration of services and the promotion of healthy ageing, taking forward many of the themes outlined in the recent joint health and social care White Paper.

Activities such as exercise classes and dancing can promote health and well-being. While health service areas such as oral health, foot care and continence care promote active ageing.

Jonathan Ellis, policy manager for Help the Aged, said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to encourage practices which will put older people’s needs at the forefront of delivery of care.”

The Department has ensured the key aims and objectives of the NSF will be followed up by aligning them with the national priorities set out in the Public Service Agreement Targets. We will also work closely with stakeholders, regulators and commissioners as well as the Care Services Improvement Partnership, which has been created to support developments in health and social care.

For further information www.connects.org.uk/