An independent report has called for a “major cultural shift” driven by leaders in the health and social care sector to improve dignity in care for older people throughout care homes and hospitals in England.
That is the main message contained in Delivering Dignity, the final report from the Commission on Improving Dignity in Care for Older People, an independent group set up by the NHS Confederation, Age UK and the Local Government Association (LGA).
The report received widespread support following a month-long consultation with feedback from over 230 health and social care organisations, patient groups and individuals across the country.
The report includes recommendations for a number of ‘always events’, things which it says should never be forgotten and should always be considered as basic rules for the delivery of dignified care in every hospital and care home, including introducing formal and informal feedback from older people and their carers to improve practice and has called on the Government to ensure that every person receiving care is protected under human rights legislation.
A copy of the final report will be sent to every NHS and care home chief executive in England and a joint action plan from the three organisations will follow the report later in the year.
The report also recommends that commissioners, providers and regulators use new NICE quality standards for patient experience in NHS adults services to help provide a consistent approach when defining and measuring the care provided to patients.
