Exmouth's health and social care workers promote dignity

HEALTH and social care workers in Exmouth are showing just how committed they are to providing dignified and respectful services.

Dignity Action Day is taking place on February 25 with the aim of upholding and publicising people's rights to dignity, something on which the NHS and county council place high importance.

NHS Devon has teamed up with Devon County Council and Age Concern regional support services to mark the day.

Staff from all three organisations are making pledges on how they intend to provide and promote dignity for all people receiving care.

Patients and people who use services are also being invited to tell us how they expect to be treated, as dignity is set out as a right for patients in the NHS Constitution.

Sally Slade, NHS Devon's managing director of health and social care, said: "We are proud to be involved in dignity action day and I feel it will make a real difference to our patients and service users.

"Most of us at some point in our lives will be in contact with care services and when we do we hope we will be treated with dignity and respect. An example of this is our investment to ensuring all our community hospitals have same sex accommodation.

"We have received many pledges from NHS and county council staff, as well as from local charities. Some of the pledges are being videoed and will be available on NHS Devon's website and Facebook page.

From the beginning of March, the video and written pledges will be available at www.devonpct.nhs.uk or by adding NHS Devon as a friend on Facebook.