ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the importance of patient and client dignity in healthcare settings, drawing on patients’ and healthcare professionals’ viewpoints. Dignity is reflected in Article 3 of the United Kingdom's Human Rights Act, which states that 'no one shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment'; this article applies across society, including healthcare. Worldwide empirical evidence confirms that, for a positive healthcare experience, patients and clients need to feel that their dignity is upheld and that healthcare professionals also view dignity as important for patients and as a valuable part of their professional practice. Confirming the universality of dignity, these studies have been conducted in a range of specialties and some of these are presented. Worldwide, healthcare professions have agreed that promoting patient or client dignity is a core element of their practice and this is also evidenced by empirical studies.
