NHS

As in all service settings, in the NHS, and on specifically on wards, all of the points of the dignity challenge are relevant and should be observed by staff.

Research from the Social Care Institute for Excellence highlights many situations and practices within hospitals where the dignity of patients may be compromised, including:

• Nutrition
• Communication
• Privacy
• Continence and toiletting

(To read more about these 'things that matter' please go to the respecting dignity resource section.)

Resources for within NHS settings include guidance sometimes aimed at patients, or at staff, or both. There is a great deal of good work being done nationally to address areas of care lacking dignity. Here are a few resources promoting best practice:

• Dignity in Care Inpatient Questionnaire
  Patient feedback form
• SCIE - Helping You Through a Hospital Stay
  This resource is useful in many service settings, including within hospitals. For example: Domiciliary carers could distribute it to older people at home before a visit to hospital care homes could have...
• NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement - Mixed Sex Accommodation - Guidance and Checklist
  This guidance outlines 11 key principles to support the achievement of good physical separation of the sexes in hospital accommodation. It includes a self-assessment checklist to help trusts identify...
• Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority - Dignity on the Ward Audit Template
  This audit tool is designed to support the assessment of core standards for delivering dignity on the wards and departments of hospitals in community, acute and mental health sectors and for developing...