Recognition
As a student nurse i move around ALOT and I meet a LOT of nursing staff and other professionals. It has amazed me how few people with secondary care settings know about dignity champions.
There is also nothing set in place within hospital trusts to enourage staff to become dignity champions or provide staff with the resources to become a champion of dignity.
However dignity within hospitals is high on the agenda for most trusts.
Is this just my experience? If not does anyone have any ideas on how I could possibly make people more aware about becoming a champion?
Hi Lauren,
which hospital/region are you from? I'm the lead for Yorkshire and Humber. What ideas do you have? If you want some support to get things moving where you are I can put you in contact with a lead on dignity. Its good to know its so high on a student nurses priorities, thank you for taking the trouble to ask the question
Im based in Stockport but via Manchester University- i don't think it is so much the trust or universities fault. I feel that it is very difficult as a student to gain information regarding the things that are in place.
I did start a thread on here about some sort of badge but as to most dignity champions it's something their colleagues are aware of- where as for us student nurses we move placements every 10 weeks and it's frustrating and can be awkward telling people you are a dignity champion over and over. It makes me feel like im blowing my own horn opposed to actually people seeing a badge or knowing what it is. I dont begrudge telling people that i am a champion but not everyone looks at us students for what we are- the future of nursing.
Hi Lauren,
I applied for a Dignity badge from the Dignity Challenge site and it
has proved very useful. Although it is is very small, it seems to have
had quite a big impact and has even sparked off conversations about
what a Dignity Champion is or what it's all about. I feel this is a
positive step forward, and I totally agree with you, how can people
know what we are or who we are without some kind of ID?
Kind Regards
Sally
>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to view email address]
>Date: 25/09/2009 19:37
>To: <[log in to view email address]>
>Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Recognition
>
>Im based in Stockport but via Manchester University- i don't think it
is so much the trust or universities fault. I feel that it is very
difficult as a student to gain information regarding the things that
are in place.
>I did start a thread on here about some sort of badge but as to most
dignity champions it's something their colleagues are aware of- where
as for us student nurses we move placements every 10 weeks and it's
frustrating and can be awkward telling people you are a dignity
champion over and over. It makes me feel like im blowing my own horn
opposed to actually people seeing a badge or knowing what it is. I dont
begrudge telling people that i am a champion but not everyone looks at
us students for what we are- the future of nursing.
>
>
>
>
>
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Hi Lauren,
Just thought I'd drop you a line. My name is Mac, I am the registered
manager of a care home for adults with enduring mental health problems.
There is a dignity champions badge you can apply for, just email them,
however it is so small as to be hardly noticeable, and spends more time
upside down than right way up as it's on a single pin.
I always have empathy with students, (I have two Social Work students on
placement at the home right now)
Do not fear, keep on telling people about being a dignity champion, for
that's the only way the message will get round, no matter how
frustrating it might seem.
Good luck, and don't give up!!
Kind Regards,
Mac.
I'm a disabled member of the public, I became a Dignity Champion hoping I could help. When I read the threads from forums; it appears there is very little than an ordinary member of the public can do. The only way I can give any pointers at present is that perhaps when patients like my mother who suffers wiith demantia is taken to the dentist or optician that the person directs questions to them (getting answers later from carer if needs be). Also when I had occasion to visit A and E recently I had to endure 4 hours in pain, sitting waiting to be seen. I accept the wait but I wish someone had asked if I was okay sitting that length of time; I have HMS. I am due to be a "patient of the day" at a conference in November where there will be numerous GPs; physios etc.Can someone please point out how I can help.
Pam i hope your conferance goes well and i find it commendable that members of the public are dignity champions, I think there is a lot members of the public can do and i think that by you becoming a champion it might make staff realise that dignity is not just a "staff" concern but it is about the PATIENT/CLIENT!
I have come across a few patient's who feel there is no dignity within the NHS, in particular nursing- surely if nursing is a vocation and not just a job then we should be empowering and dignified in our role not just there for the sake of it.
Lauren, Thank you for your reply; I never had a chance to promote the Dignity Champion at the symposium or my next "date" to be a "patient" for student doctors! Although I did pass on the cards to a lady in my "disability aids shop". she said they were having a staff meeting and she would bring up the subject of Dignity Champion and distribute my cards. The shop is within a day care centre and I'm sure the Dignity Champion will prove to be a success.