Local NHS services in Barnsley supporting Dignity Action Day
A number of services at a local NHS Trust in Barnsley are raising awareness of dignity and the importance of ensuring that it is a reality for all by supporting Dignity Action Day on Wednesday 1st February 2012.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability and community services in Barnsley.
Staff working on the inpatient rehabilitation wards at Mount Vernon hospital which provides care to elderly people and those who have had a stroke, organised a day of special activities which service users, carers and visitors were encouraged to engage in including sporting events, craft workshops, raffles and reminiscence based workshops.
Carol Nayeri, assistant modern matron on the wards said, "Dignity is part of everything we do and it is everybody’s business. We invited service users, staff, relatives and members of the public to the activities we organised as it was a great opportunity to raise awareness, reinforce the dignity challenge and engage with local people."
Staff at the Oakwell centre at Kendray hospital also took part in the awareness day and organised an information display to highlight the importance of dignity in care and the actions that people who use the service, as well as staff, think are necessary to ensure this. The Oakwell centre is an inpatient unit providing acute mental health services for adults and older people.
Kim Hawcroft, matron at the centre said, "The information display was an effective way to raise awareness of dignity and was really popular with service users, staff and visitors. We also organised pamper sessions on the day for service users who wanted to enjoy a foot massage or have their nails painted and the catering staff at the centre kindly made us a ‘happy dignity day’ cake which everyone enjoyed."
Dignity Action Day is a national initiative led by the Dignity in Care campaign to bring staff and members of the public together to make a difference to those who receive care. For more information visit www.dignityincare.org.uk