Dignity and Respect Policy

Introduction

This policy sets out the Practice provision to ensure that patients are afforded privacy and dignity, and are treated respectfully, in all appropriate circumstances where there is the potential for embarrassment or for the patient to feel “ill at ease”.

The requirement to respect patients is the responsibility of all staff, not just those in direct clinical contact with the patient.

Vulnerable patients in the respect may include:

Elderly
Infirm
Disabled
Those with racial or cultural beliefs
Illiterate
Homeless / no fixed abode
Those with specific conditions
Patients with communication difficulties
Patients with learning difficulties
Those patients with gender requirements
Those known to staff / known by staff
Family members

Provisions

Reception

The Practice will not stereotype patients based on perceived characteristics
Patients will be referred to with respect even in private discussions in the surgery
Patients will be addressed by their preferred method and titles (Mr, Mrs etc.) will be used as a first preference by staff
A sign will be available in reception to offer the facility of a private discussion with a receptionist if required
Guide dogs will be permitted in all parts of the building. See Guide Dogs Policy
A portable hearing loop is available for use in any consultation room and reception.
Under no circumstances will staff enter through a closed consultation room / treatment room door without first knocking, and waiting for permission to enter ( if occupied ), or pausing to determine that the room is empty

Consultations

Patients will be allowed free choice of gender of doctor and nurse, where available, and will be able to wait or delay an appointment to see their choice of clinician Where clinically urgent patients will be encouraged to see a clinician appropriate for their “best care” however undue pressure is not appropriate
Consultations will not be interrupted unless there is an emergency, in which case the room will be telephoned as a first step, before knocking at the door and awaiting specific permission from the clinician to enter
A chaperone will be offered where an examination is to take place. See Chaperone Policy
Clinical staff will be sensitive to the needs of the individual and will ensure that they are comfortable in complying with any requests with the potential to cause embarrassment
Patients will be afforded as much time and privacy as is required to recover from the delivery of “bad news”, and the clinical staff will, where possible, anticipate this need and arrange their appointments accordingly
Patients will be able to dress and undress privately in the consulting / treatment room, where a screening curtain is provided. Patients using this facility will be requested to advise the clinician when they are ready to be seen, and they will be afforded sufficient time to do this bearing in mind infirmity etc.
Paper towel or similar will be available in each examination / treatment room, changed after each patient, and the patient will be advised of its availability
Washing facilities will be offered to the patient if required
Clinicians and staff will allow “personal space” where possible and respect this
Patients will be given adequate opportunity, time and privacy for the provision of samples on the premises without feeling under duress or time limitation
The area used for dressing / undressing is equipped with coat / clothes hangers, pegs, or similar for clothes.
Patients with difficulty in understanding due to language may have a family member or friend available to interpret or assist
Communication by staff to patients will be individual according to the needs of the individual patient (e.g. those with speech difficulties, hearing, or learning difficulties may need an individual approach)
Where an intimate examination (vaginal or breast examinations for women, genital examinations for men, rectal examinations for both men and woman) is considered necessary to be performed on a patient with difficulty in understanding due to language or other issues (e.g. consent or cultural issues) it is recommended that a Chaperone or family member / carer should always be present
Areas used by patients for dressing / undressing will be secure from interruption or ingress (i.e. there will be no unlocked door to either a corridor or to any room not occupied by the consultant who is attending that patient)
Patients who may have difficulty in undressing may be offered the services of a second (same gender) clinician or trained Chaperone to assist
Patients will be requested only to remove a minimum of clothing necessary
Consultations in the patient’s home will be sensitive to the location and any other persons who may be present or may overhear

Post – Consultation