The Dignity in Care program aims to change the culture of SA health services by reinforcing the importance of treating patients with dignity and respect.
Dignity in Care was first launched in Australia in early 2011 at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH), with Maggie Beer as the patron. The program started with 300 enthusiastic champions, and now has over 1000.
Dignity is concerned with how people feel, think and behave in relation to the value of themselves and others. To treat someone with dignity is to treat them in a way that is respectful of them and as valued individuals. In a care situation, dignity may be promoted or lessened by physical environment, organisation cultures, attitudes and behaviour of the nursing team or others. When dignity is present, people feel in control, valued, confident, comfortable and able to make decisions for themselves.