Partnership on Dignity in Care starts work

The commission on dignity in care begins today, led by the Partnership on Dignity in Care alliance, which wants to improve care for elderly patients in hospitals and care homes.

The NHS Confederation, the Local Government Association and the charity Age UK have joined together to collect evidence, make recommendations for improvement and promote the implementation of these changes.

The partnership is holding three public evidence sessions on November 10, 17 and 24 to hear from patient representatives and leading figures from across the health and social care systems.

They will also consider a literature review of published evidence, conduct site visits to examine best practice and take advice from nursing, medical and academic experts. Draft findings will be released in early 2012, with a final report published in spring 2012.

The NHS Confederation’s Sir Keith Pearson said: “We have heard too many unacceptable cases of older people being provided with poor care when they are at their most vulnerable. We cannot allow these standards to persist.

“The NHS has a responsibility to look after the personal care needs of all older patients when they need it most.

“We hope to understand why problems persist and find practical ways forward. There are of course many organisations providing excellent care, and we need to learn from them and explore how to spread expertise across the system.”

Dianne Jeffrey, chair of Age UK, said: “The commission has been brought together to find practical ways to ensure that all older people are looked after well, and in a way that values them as individuals with inherent dignity.

“We want to see the views of older people on how they receive care placed right at the heart of decision making around this issue and action prioritised to ensure that no older person receives poor care in future.”

Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr David Rogers said: “Local government is committed to providing the best possible level of adult social care so people in need can enjoy the independence, respect and dignity they so rightly deserve.

“When it comes to the care and protection of our older residents it is vital that the NHS, councils and social care organisations do not work in silos but work together in providing the services our nation deserves.”