Published on: 14 October 2022
A team of occupational therapists at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been presented with a Derby City Dignity Award for their ongoing commitment to promoting and delivering dignified services.
The Trust’s Acute Adult Inpatient Occupational Therapy team, which supports people with acute mental health needs at the Radbourne Unit in Derby and the Hartington Unit in Chesterfield, secured the award from Derby Safeguarding Adults Board after demonstrating their commitment to involving patients in their care, treating patients with respect and raising awareness around dignity in the care of others through inspiring local action.
The Dignity Awards have been launched by the Derby Safeguarding Adults Board as an extension of the national Dignity Champions campaign, launched by the Department of Health in November 2006 to showcase dignity and respect at the heart of services that care for the public.
The Occupational Therapy teams were recognised for their practice against the ‘10 dignity do’s challenge’. The challenge describes values and actions to be considered as a high-quality service that respects people’s dignity, which includes:
- Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
- Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
- Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service
- Enable people to maintain the maximum level of independence, choice and control
- Listen and support people to express their needs and wants
- Respect people’s right to privacy
- Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution
- Engage with family members and carers as care partners
- Assist people to maintain confidence and positive self-esteem
- Act to alleviate people loneliness and isolation.
The teams achieved this through therapeutic interactions with patients, making reasonable adjustments where necessary, safeguarding of vulnerable adults and modifying communication to support patient needs.
Dr Arun Chidambaram, Medical Director at Derbyshire Healthcare, praised the team for their recognition and hard work.
Arun said: “I would like to congratulate the Acute Adult Inpatient Occupational Therapy team for achieving this Derby City Dignity Award. Being in an inpatient unit can be a lonely and isolating experience without therapeutic activities and compassionate care. What a fantastic example of teamwork and going the extra mile for patients in our care through establishing a truly person-centred approach in line with the Trust’s core values.
“The team should be exceptionally proud of what they have achieved, very well done!”
Joshua Ige, Divisional Lead Occupational Therapist for Acute Mental Health Inpatient Services, Older People and Forensic & Rehabilitation services, also congratulated the team on their success.
Joshua said: “I would like to commend the occupational therapy teams in both the Radbourne and Hartington units for their efforts in securing this award, which was presented to them based on the wealth of evidence they had collated and provided collectively.
“The award shows clear evidence of how working together can showcase the good work that we do on a day-to-day basis as well as the depth of care and dignity we provide to those in our care.”
Derby Safeguarding Adults Board will host the Dignity Awards on 1 February 2023, where the team have been invited to collect the award in person.
