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As a naive 18 year old student nurse I was unsure that nursing was the right career choice for me. Working on my first clinical placement I witnessed some of the most degrading care of older women.

The sight of people queuing for the 2 hourly toilet round hauled on and off commodes within sight of others was appalling. Worst still was the segregation of three women in an isolated day room. It was only with hindsight that I realised that one was terminally ill, one had severe depression and was starving to death and the other had dementia. Coincidentally all were called Catherine but known collectively as the three C’s. The affecting images and experiences of “care” for those women have remained with me throughout my career.

We have come a long way across the speciality since 1981 but have some way to go before we can really celebrate our success. Regardless of the debate about why we need to focus on dignity 25 years later, the fact is we do

The Dignity in Care Campaign is an important initiative launched in 2006 and sets in place a clear direction for all those working across Health and Social Care settings, and most importantly, for those receiving care. The underpinning work of this campaign through use of clinical benchmarking, Better Metrics, Environmental Audits make an important contribution in measuring and improving care. Ensuring privacy in consultation and privacy in personal care should be the minimal acceptable standards of patients’ fundamental experience. However, what we really need to see is a shift in the attitudes of all those involved in care, From the sluice to the boardroom and everything in between, it is the responsibility of us all to challenge unacceptable practice

I am encouraged that we have seen a swell of interest from across health, social care, the third sector, independent sector and professional colleges who have come together to make a difference. The launch of the BGS “Behind Closed Doors” campaign will, I have no doubt, make a significant contribution to the work and will be further enhanced if everyone uses opportunities at a local level to promote the importance of the work. It will help to promote a change in care experiences so that 25 years from now we will talk about a historic perspective of undignified care which will have no place in our futures.

Deborah Sturdy RN MSc (Econ)
Nurse Advisor Older People Department of Health