Welcome to the first monthly e-bulletin for Dignity Champions.  By the Dignity in Care network...  15th December 2008.

You can read here latest news about the Dignity in Care Campaign and find out more about key national policies or ways you can be  active as Dignity Champions.

 LATEST NEWS

Latest count of Dignity Champions

We now have over 4,200 Dignity Champions with more signing up everyday.  Over 3,700 of you are part of our online Dignity Champions Network.

 N ominate a carer worker for going that extra mile

Members of the public and staff can nominate individual staff or  teams who go that extra mile to provide dignified and compassionate care through our new 'People's Award for Dignity  in Care'.

Story Links,  People's Award for Dignity in Care 2009:

http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_2_1

 Want to talk to other Dignity Champions?

Through our new online forum Dignity Champions can meet and talk to each other, share ideas, experiences, issues, solutions and  best practice.

Story Links,  Discuss & Debate: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_3_1 

 New Year Resolutions

What are you committing to do as a Dignity Champion in 2009? Share your new year resolutions with us and inspire others in our new online discussion forum.

Story Links,  Discuss & Debate: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_4_1

 Next Ministerial Webchat

Phil Hope MP will host his first Ministerial Dignity Webchat at 11am on 20 January. Details of how to join the webchat will be emailed to all Dignity Champions in early January. To help ensure your question is answered on the day send it in advance to dignitywebsite@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

 Story of the month

Bolton Council has joined forces with other care organisations to launch an action plan that will promote Dignity in Care for older people in the borough.

Story Links,  Bolton Council action plan: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_6_1

Quick Tips

Each month we will share some quick tips to promoting dignity.  This month's tips came from nurses who attended a Dignity Map workshop in York. If you have any Quick Tips to share please email dignitywebsite@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Story Links,  Quick Tips : http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_7_1

 Dignity in Care Matters Conference 2008

Over 200 Dignity Champions attended our National Conference on 25 November 2008. For the many Champions who could not attend  you can read about the day and see the speaker and workshop  presentations.

Story Links,  Dignity in Care Matters Conference November 2008: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_8_1

 Sir Michael Parkinson's Sofa Chat with Dignity Champions

The National Dignity Ambassador, Sir Michael Parkinson, returned to his day job at the National Dignity Champions Conference on 25 November 2008 to interview three inspiring women who have championed dignity and respect for older people and people with dementia. Available soon as a downloadable podcast and in DVD format.

Story Links,  Sir Michael Parkinson's Sofa Chat with Dignity Champions: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_9_1

Read Sir Michael Parkinson latest blog on Dignity in care: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_9_2

 Dignity Champions can help develop measures of quality care for NHS

Local NHS organisations are being encouraged to engage with  staff to help develop a framework for a new generation of indicators that will measure quality at local, organisational, regional and national levels. The results of regional and online engagement will be used to develop a range of indicators to be introduced from 2009.

Story Links, Dignity Champions can help develop measures of quality care for NHS: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_10_1

 Safeguarding Adults: A Consultation on the Review of the 'No Secrets' Guidance The Department of Health, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice have launched the national consultation on the review of  the No Secrets guidance. The consultation closes on 31 January 2009.

Story Links,  News Item - Safeguarding Adults: A Consultation on the Review of the 'No Secrets' Guidance: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_11_1

 End of Life Care Strategy: Quality Markers Consultation

The Department has launched a consultation on Quality Markers for End of Life Care, as promised in the End of Life Care Strategy published in July. Closing date 6 February 2009.

Story Links,  End of Life Care Strategy: Quality Markers Consultation: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_12_1

 H elp the Aged Report - The Challenge of Measuring Dignity in Care

The research carried out by the Picker Institute on behalf of  the Charity, argues that current measures do not give a clear reflection of the overwhelming lack of dignity in care.

Story Links,  Help the Aged Report - The Challenge of Measuring Dignity in Care: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_13_1

 Seeing the person in the patient - Kings Fund report

A major programme to transform patients' experience of care in hospital has been launched by The King's Fund. Alongside this, they have published a report assessing the scale and nature of the problems patients experience.

Story Links  Seeing the person in the patient - Kings Fund report: http://networks.csip.org.uk/nl/?l=359_1_14_1

 And finally

Seasons greetings to all our 4,200+ Dignity Champions. Many thanks for all your hard work and commitment during 2008 and  lets hope together we can help bring dignity in care for many more people in 2009 and beyond.