Wilfred McSherry, PhD, MPhil, PGCE, PGCRM, BSc, RGN, NT, FHA, is professor in dignity of care for older people, Centre for Practice and Service Improvement, Faculty of Health, Staffordshire University.
ABSTRACT McSherry W (2010) Dignity in care: meanings, myths and the reality of making it work in practice. Nursing Times; 106:40,20–23.
In recent years, dignity in care has become a catch all phrase in nursing and healthcare. This article looks at different definitions of the concept and at the origins of dignity in care campaigns and champions. It questions whether dignity in care campaigns are a genuine attempt to improve the patient experience or a political and professional ploy to delude the public that something is being done, which detracts from serious debate about the nature and structure of nursing and healthcare.
