Privacy and Dignity in Continence Care for Older People. Report on Phase 1.

In recent years dignity in care has become a priority and the focus of a number of government reports and policy initiatives. (DH 2003, 2007), (SCIE 2006). The National Service Framework for older people (DH 2001) and its follow up document, (DH 2006a) for example stated that maintaining dignity was pivotal in improving care for older people. However, despite this political support, there continue to be problems in health and social care settings related to preserving the dignity of older people (Levenson 2007). There is a risk therefore that generalised policy statements have little effect on actual practice and care unless they are operational, and supported by detailed guidelines for practice.

Alongside policy, there has also been an increase in studies of dignity in health care (Chochinov et al,2002a), (Woolhead et al 2006) particularly focusing on the ways in which dignity is defined and what it means to people. There have, however, been far fewer on the relationship between dignity and personal care particularly when care involves sensitive issues such as incontinence. This report provides an initial analysis of emerging themes and findings from Phase 1 of the study of privacy and dignity in continence care for older people funded by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Geriatrics Society.

The overall objectives of this two year project are to:

i. develop reflective standards/guidelines for dignified care,

ii. produce recommendations for best practice,

iii. provide advice with regard to changing practice in the clinical setting.