Sir Michael Parkinson speaks at RCN Congress 2009

Watch the webcast

The advantage of vintage

Addressing a rapt audience of members, Sir Michael Parkinson urged Congress to celebrate older people, asking "What's wrong with a wrinkle?"

As the Department of Health's (DH) Dignity Ambassador, Sir Michael has travelled the length and breath of the UK visiting care homes and hospitals to experience first hand the health care of the older generation. He spoke passionately about his belief that older people have become marginalised when they should be celebrated for their inspirational lives and wealth of experience.

Even as a practiced speaker, sharing the story of his mother's decline into dementia with members was clearly a difficult task for Sir Michael. His voice cracked with emotion as he recounted the very personal events that led him to champion dignity and respect in care.

Congress heard that as part of his DH role, he has listened to nurses and patients' experiences of dignity and the struggle to give quality of care. He described how he has grown to appreciate the complex issue but recognised the kindness, dedication and devotion of the nursing family and found it personally reassuring that there are public servants who care so deeply for the community.

But, he said "It's no good looking at just nursing, it's about society and about respect in nursing and in life. Its time we reminded ourselves of the old fashioned values of dignity and respect".

Using archive clips from his chat show he showed members the granddaughter of Salvation Army founder William Booth, Catherine Branwell Booth, then 86, speaking of wanting to die with "eyes that were not dim and with my natural strength unabated". He said "What a wonderful state to be in, not afraid of being old and still being vigorous. Dignity in care will only happen if all of us appreciate and celebrate growing old instead of fearing it. It should not be seen a sad decline into dementia".

On a lighter note, he added that on television "the audience loves it when you lose dignity; I'm talking about being attacked by that emu…"

Background

The Royal College of Nursing welcomed Sir Michael Parkinson, the Government's Dignity Ambassador, who spoke at RCN Congress 2009.

This follows on from the 2008 launch of the RCN's dignity campaign, in which the RCN has sought to ensure that delivering dignified patient care is a number one priority for nursing staff.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said: Having the Government's top dignity ambassador speaking is an honour and will add to the sense of occasion at Congress. Patient dignity remains a top priority for nurses across the UK who want to make a difference to the lives of the patients they care for.

Sir Michael Parkinson, a well known broadcaster and journalist, said he was 'delighted' to be speaking at RCN Congress. He added: I am looking forward to being able to discuss the vital issue of patient dignity at the largest gathering of frontline nursing staff in the UK. It will be interesting to see how RCN members want to progress the excellent work of the RCN Dignity campaign.
RCN Congress is the largest nursing event of the year with 5,000 nurses expected to attend.