The Dignity in Care Campaign aims to end tolerance of indignity in health and social care through raising awareness and inspiring people to take action.

What is Dignity?

The Department of Health, in partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) have developed an online practice guide for Dignity in Care.  The guide offers the following definition of dignity:

Dignity consists of many overlapping aspects, involving respect, privacy, autonomy and self-worth. The provisional meaning of dignity used in the practice guide is: ‘a state, quality or manner worthy of esteem or respect; and (by extension) self-respect’.

Dignity in care, therefore, means the kind of care, in any setting, which supports and promotes, and does not undermine, a person’s self-respect regardless of any difference. 

While 'dignity’ may be difficult to define, what is clear is that people know when they have not been treated with dignity and respect.