Being treated like I was somebody

摘要

The treatment of one person by another in a manner which respects their dignity is a relatively simple matter as these quotes from a recent study show (Matiti and Trorey, 2008):"If you are not talked to, you feel you do not exist and feel ignored.""...even if the curtains are closed sometimes people come in and out - for example nurses looking for colleagues.""...when one is able to do things it boosts self confidence and esteem. I would like to be in control of my own things... unless I cannot manage."Over the past two years or so there has been a campaign in the UK which focuses on the provision of dignity in care. This is mirrored in similar and different formats in other parts of the world. Numerous documents since the early 1990s have highlighted the importance of health and social care staff who treat those in their care with dignity. A more recent publication (Cass et al.. 2008) clearly identifies dignity in care as a basic human right:'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'.