Patients have a say as Ilford treatment centre hosts dignity celebrations

Company news

Jan 28, 2015

Fun and tea will underpin important messages about dignity in care as the team and patients at Care UK’s North East London NHS Treatment Centre in Ilford celebrate Dignity Action Day on Tuesday 3 February.

During Dignity Action Day (1 February), health and social care professionals aim to promote dignity in their work and encourage members of the public to give their views on what dignity means to them and what the service can do to make them feel in control of their treatment and visits.

At the centre, GP liaison manager Stacy Endean said: “We intend to have lots of fun with quizzes and prizes such as boxes of chocolates, but behind the fun there is a positive intention to learn more about how patients and colleagues view dignity in the centre as a hospital and as a place of work.

“Senior managers are inviting patients and people working at the centre to join them for a discussion where they will be able to put forward ideas and ask questions. There will also be a talk on the surgery pathway. We know some people have concerns about their dignity while they are under a general anaesthetic, so we will talk them through just what happens to ensure their dignity is maintained throughout the surgical process.”

As well as a display in the reception area, packed with useful information, there will also be a Digni-Tree where patients, visitors and colleagues will be invited to write what dignity means to them on a leaf that will be displayed on the tree. They will also have the chance to write the name of a person who they feel has helped to champion dignity within the centre.

From 12 noon until 2pm members of the public and the team will also be able to join in a Digni-Tea where they can share their views over a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

Ashley Livesey, hospital director at North East London NHS Treatment Centre, said: “Maintaining patients’ dignity is a fundamental part of all we do at the centre and Dignity Action Day gives us an invaluable opportunity to talk to patients and visitors about what dignity means to them.

“It also gives all our medical and administrative professionals an opportunity to think about how we contribute to upholding people's right to dignity and how we can find new ways to increase a patient’s sense of choice, control and enhance their experience of our service.”

The centre, in Barley Lane, is rated as excellent by its patients, who would recommend the centre to their friends and family. It offers exceptionally high quality treatment in oral surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery, gastroenterology, urology and endoscopy in six state-of-the-art operating theatres as well as in its outpatient/pre-assessment department.