In his report, Sir Michael praises the people who inspired him; highlights small steps that cost nothing, but make a real difference to people’s lives; and opens up about his own experience of the care of his mother, who had dementia.
He tells how he first met Weston nurse Jayne Biddiscombe, in September 2008, when she had signed up to the Dignity in Care campaign and become the 3,000th Dignity Champion in the country.
Jayne told him she was inspired by a heart-wrenching article in a magazine about a mother whose daughter did not receive the respect she deserved when she was in care. She wanted to make a difference and ensure that other people are treated with dignity and respect when they are at their most vulnerable.
He writes: “Since joining the campaign she’d become increasingly aware of how patients are treated in care and had been working within her hospital to highlight the importance of dignity.
“All I can say is - watch out anyone working with Jayne who doesn’t believe dignity and compassion are vital to good care! She is a crusader with a cause, a woman with a mission. Before I knew it, she had me agreeing to come to her hospital to see their work in practice.”
Sir Michael then goes on to describe his visit to Weston General Hospital last April.
He writes: “I was taken to look around Cheddar ward and was impressed with the difference that simple changes could make. It is a single-sex ward and has a lovely sense of space and lighting.
“Many of the changes they were making were small and similar to many
other hospitals around the country, such as changing curtains to ensure they close properly, having privacy signs to prevent curtains being opened on inappropriate occasions, and protecting meal times, so that patients are assured of being able to eat without interruption.
“I came away with the sense that they were like a family – all the staff seemed to know each other and work together – perhaps that is something other places can learn from.
“To me, the staff and volunteers at Weston hospital embodied the ethos of the Dignity in Care campaign, each person making their own contribution, however small, to make things better.”
Weston Area Health NHS Trust Chief Executive Lorene Read said: “We were delighted when Sir Michael accepted Jayne’s invitation to see us in Weston and very much enjoyed showing him our work on privacy and dignity issues.
“We are very pleased that the visit left him with such a positive view and that he has chosen to share that in his national report.”
A new Dignity Action Day and a £50,000 Bright Ideas Grant (BIG) for innovative projects that encourage dignity in care were announced alongside the report by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
The dignity day of action will take place on 25 February, 2010.
Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, said: “Sir Michael’s report is an invaluable insight into the experiences of people who rely on support and those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
“Our dignity day of action will be chance for everyone to get involved in promoting dignity for all in care and our new Bright Ideas Grant will help new projects to promote dignity.”
* To find out more and read My Year as National Dignity Ambassador by Sir Michael Parkinson visit www.dignityincare.org.uk.
For further information, contact Caroline Welch on 01934 647091