Dignified differences

Dignified care needs to be person-centred, and not just focused on tasks and processes. An important element of care is to be aware of, and sensitive to, the features of a person’s life, and the way that contributes to our diverse population. Diversity comes from the many elements that contribute to people holding different views on a topic such as:

• age
• ethnicity
• faith
• gender
• ability and disability
• sexual orientation
• social status.

Valuing diversity is about recognising rather than judging the different qualities people have...and dignified care is not possible without that recognition - recognising and respecting the right of others to be different from you. How does your understanding of diversity shape the care that you give? Roll over each of the elements in this animation to explore the ways in which they impact on dignified care.

Vulnerable groups

Being in need of health care can make anyone feel in need of support – being vulnerable is part of being human. Some groups of people are especially vulnerable and risk infringements to their dignity. A person can be vulnerable for a range of reasons:

• because they are acutely ill and physically compromised
• because they cannot tend to their own needs
• because they are, or feel, unable to speak out for themselves
• because they lack the capacity to make decisions
• because they are cognitively impaired.

In any one of the above circumstances (or in some cases, combination of circumstances) it is all too easy to compromise someone’s dignity – and it can happen in small – but significant ways – on a daily basis:

• by not finding out what is important to a person, at any particular time
• by not ensuring that a person is protected from a potentially hostile environment
• by not supporting a person with their daily needs such as eating or bathing
• by not creating an environment where privacy is protected
• by not supporting and enabling a person to make choices
• by not enabling a person to access the range of service that may help them to meet their needs / achieve their choices.

What can be done?

It's argued that all solutions start with ourselves. By taking the word ‘NOT’ out of the above and turning inaction into action it is possible to begin to examine how the dignity of all people can be protected and promoted. The principles could be summarised thus:

1. put the person first and foremost – at the centre of what you do
2. do whatever you can to support / enable their choices
3. do whatever you can to create an environment that is compatible with 1 and 2
4. speak out about / challenge circumstances where you are not able to protect and promote someone’s dignity
5. celebrate good practice wherever you see it.

If you have found this learning opportunity about equality and diversity thought-provoking you may want to learn more. The British Institute of Human Rights website (in the 'Useful resources' section) and Sellman’s paper on vulnerability and the nursing response (reference listed in the 'References' section) will be of help to you.