ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the meaning and contribution of the care environment to dignity in care. Individual healthcare workers should take advantage of opportunities to learn about dignity in care, to be aware of the impact of role modelling and to develop strategies with patients and colleagues that develop dignity in care environments. A recent Royal College of Nursing (RCN) evaluation of the impact of a dignity in care campaign provided many examples of nurse-led initiatives supporting dignity in very diverse care environments. The 2008 RCN report Defending Dignity Challenges and Opportunities for Nursing distinguishes between two aspects of the care environment the physical environment and other aspects of the employing organisation. The examples here suggest how opportunities to promote dignity in care environments might be maximised. The RCN report identified other aspects of the care environment with the potential to enhance or diminish dignity.
