NURSING staff in the Isle of Man marked Dignity Action Day yesterday as part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring all patients are treated with dignity and respect.
The nationwide initiative is led by the Dignity in Care campaign and provides an opportunity for staff to share ideas and for patients, and service users, to feedback on the issue.
Staff from the Department of Health had the opportunity to attend a dignity workshop and observations of care were carried out in the inpatient and outpatient departments at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital.
As part of the day a new initiative was launched to promote the well being of patients in Martin Ward at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital. They will now be offered the opportunity to receive hand or arm massage from the Red Cross who will attend the hospital each week.
Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "Ensuring that all of our patients are treated with respect and dignity is something the department judges as fundamental to the successful and proper delivery of our healthcare services.
"Dignity isn't an optional extra and is something embedded in our approach to health care. But we mustn't become complacent - there is always room for improvement and I fully support our community nursing team in continuing to raise awareness of this important topic."
The Royal College of Nursing has identified that when there is no dignity is absent from care provision people can feel devalued, lack confidence and feel unable to make decisions.
Cath Quilliam, director of community nursing in the Isle of Man, said: "I am pleased to support this event which highlights the ongoing importance of dignity whether it is in an individual’s home, in a community based clinic or in the ward setting.
"This fundamental issue is already actively promoted throughout community nursing with feedback being regularly sought through various means such as comment slips, patient questionnaires and observations of patients care.
"Dignity Action Day will enable us to build on what we have already learnt and provide the opportunity for staff, patients and relatives to put forward their thoughts and suggestions to help us continually improve our practice."
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