Inspectors to focus on dignity in care

Inspectors are to give higher priority to respect and dignity when they assess services for older people.

And front-line staff have been urged by care minister Ivan Lewis to “whistleblow” if organisations fail to abide by the Department of Health’s dignity campaign, launched this week.

Under this, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Healthcare Commission must put a “sharper focus” on dignity in care when assessing providers and commissioners.

The campaign will be extended to other adult client groups next year. It includes a “dignity challenge”, which sets out how services should operate and the standards commissioners should use.

However, Lewis said the DH was still considering whether to put the protection of vulnerable adults on a statutory footing, similar to child safeguarding, despite his predecessor Liam Byrne asking officials to examine the issue in March.

The campaign was welcomed by the Association of Directors of Social Services but president John Coughlan said improving dignity in care required investment in training and service capacity.

Further information
Dignity in care