Dignity Nightgowns

I watched a hollywood film recently that starred Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicolson; playing two patients undergoing chemo together. In that, they wore a gown similar to Fatima's design but had ties instead of poppers - perhaps you can expand on that idea and play with design of the material or look toward the US for more ideas?

I also noticed that they wore cotton 'hospital looking' dressing gowns when walking out to the bathroom - the things you spot in films!

Claire,

We have been passed on this article via our connection with TrusTECH. We have pleasure in attaching details on our "Inter-Faith" Gown, which we are currenlty looking at manufacturing is a more patient friendly colour.

We have also recently introduced an Open Backed Nightdress with an increased dignity panel and a Bariatric Gown.

We trust this will be of interest and will be more than happy to answer any further queries.

Tim Meadows - Customer Services Manager
Interweave Textiles Limited
T. 0870 224 2468

Currently there is a big debate on the issue of traditional patient gowns with regards to dignity.

I am a HCA (Healthcare Assistant) and I am also a DH Dignity Champion. A few years ago, I developed a new design patient gown, namely the DCS Patient Gown® - where DCS Stands for Dignity, Comfort and Safety - after having encountered first-hand experience of the ghastly conventional patient gowns we've endured for years.

The DCS Patient Gown® was designed with dignity in mind and it was developed based on patients and staff feedback. It eliminates deficiencies of conventional gowns and replaces it with one that allows full access to patient without the trauma of lifting the patient to disrobe, hence maintaining patient dignity and comfort. http://www.institute.nhs.uk/resources/nhslive/4465/DCS%20Patient%20Gown%20-%20Featutes%20and%20Benefits.pdf

I have also designed the DCS Faith Gown® in response to the DH's Race Equality Scheme, which was developed to cater for the unmet needs of patients who require more body coverage than conventional gowns offer in respect of their religious and cultural needs. Please see the link below: http://www.institute.nhs.uk/resources/nhslive/4465/DCS%20Faith%20Gown%20-%20Featutes%20and%20Benefits.pdf

The DCS Faith Gown® has recently won a National Contract and it is now available for Hospitals to purchase directly from NHS Supply Chain - The Supply Chain catalogue reference is BTL017.

More recently, the DCS gown was selected as one of 5 case studies by the Department of Health as a collection of good practice examples to share Dignity Champions' stories and highlight The Dignity in Care Campaign showing how easy it is to promote or enhance dignity in various care settings and what a difference this can make. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Media/DH_109388

The DCS gown has been trialled by a number of NHS Hospitals where feedback was very positive and highly favourable compared to conventional patient gowns and there are currently a number of NHS and Private Hospitals who are using the DCS gown.

Some hospital staff have concerns about the durability of the poppers on the shoulders, however, we guarantee that the plastic poppers are of very high quality and have the durability to withstand hospital laundry temperatures of at least 90 degree Celsius - for up-to a subsequent 100 washing and ironing cycles, therefore, they wont get crushed or melt in the ironing or washing process.

Both DCS gowns come in three fabric types and also come in several different sizes including a size for Bariatric patients, unlike most conventional patient gowns, which come as 'One-Size-Fits-All".

All DCS gown range is offered at competitive rates and hospitals can opt for a trial of a small number of gowns just to see how it goes. Subsequently, if the trial was not satisfactory and did not meet staff and patient requirement, then we will give a full refund on returned gowns.
If anyone is interested in this and would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will arrange to send more information or even a gown sample if required.
Kind regards
Fatima

hello i am a dignitiy champion at harrogate district hospital. we currently hold monthly meeting to try to improve dignity issues with in the hospital enviroment, our main focus at the moment are our hospital gowns. i am very intrested in your product and would be very gratefull if you could send me a sample so we can disscus your product with a review to using them in our hospital.if you could send me a sample and more information on the gowns them we can discuss this at our future meetings many thanks a.chandler
my address is 10 the crescent, summerbridge, harrogate, north yorkshire, hg3 4ja

Hello, I read this forum with interest and am glad that people are talking about providing clothing that respects people's dignity - not only from a modesty point of view but also in preserving one's independence.

After caring for several of my family members through dementia, my husband and I started a business specialising in the design and sale of clothing that 'look completely normal but are all discretely adapted to make dressing easier and more dignified. In short, all of our clothes are either back opening (with poppers), side opening (with easy grip zips) or wrap around. Our clothes make it easier to dress or be dressed if you are struggling with mobility, dexterity or strength.

Our clothes are ideal for people who are living with dementia, the effects of a stroke, arthritis, MS, parkinsons and incontinence. We're only a small business and mainly sell through our website www.designedtocare.co.uk - we can and have supplied organisations but our typical customer is a family member looking to make life easier for a loved one.

We offer winter and summer weight men's and women's nightwear and dressing gowns along with lots of adapted daywear - dresses, trousers, skirts and blouses. All clothes can be purchased VAT free as they're recognised as mobility aids.

As I say, our clothes look normal but they can make life so much easier. Please take a look at our website www.designedtocare.co.uk or contact me directly if I can help in any way or you have any ideas for clothes that you think would help people by emailing [log in to view email address]

I hope this is a help and you find that our clothes offer more choice and dignity in dressing.

Natalie
London, www.designedtocare.co.uk

You can get a type of gown that we used at 1 place I worked which was so simple. It was like a slip dress. Over the head, and arms. No split in the back. No poppers (think x-ray and MRI). They can come in diferent sizes and colours. Patient can be dressed easily in a sitting position. Patients can come and go as they please with dignity in complete tact.

You might find something from here:

http://www.pinkcamellia.com/search.asp?types2=yes&type2=Silk+nightdresses