Delivering Dignity conference

Experts from across Wales will be looking today at how to make sure that older people who receive care are treated with dignity.

Age Cymru, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales are holding the Delivering Dignity conference in Llandrindod Wells. 

The event coincides with UN International Day of Older Persons and UK Older People's Day.

Robert Taylor, Chief Officer of Age Cymru says:

"Dignity is a word which articulates people's minimum expectations of how they should be treated by society.

"This simple requirement is sometimes ignored in health and social care, and on occasions the system lets people down.

"We've joined forces to organise today's event, bringing together older people and front-line staff to look at practical solutions which ensure older people are always treated with dignity."

Conference-goers will be discussing what dignity means to older people, people's right to be treated in a dignified way at all times and how this can achieved in a practical way.

Sarah Rochira, Older People's Commissioner for Wales, comments:

"Older people consistently tell me the importance of being treated with dignity and respect and that this is a fundamental part of delivering high quality care, whatever the setting.

"We've seen positive change following my ‘Dignified Care?' review, but there is no room for complacency.

"I am pleased that so many delegates, from chief executives and service commissioners, to frontline staff, are attending the conference today to identify practical ways of delivering dignity for older people.

"This shows a growing commitment at all levels to ensuring that we get this right for all older people, wherever they live in Wales, which is just so important.

The Delivering Dignity conference is the first event that Age Cymru, the Older People's Commissioner and the Public Services Ombudsman have held together.

Peter Tyndall, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales says:

"Many of the investigations conducted by my office into complaints about healthcare have highlighted instances where older people have not been treated with dignity and respect. 

"However, I also want to use the conference to speak about some of the improvements which services have made to ensure that older people enjoy better standards of care and treatment in the future."

Key speakers at the conference will include Phyllis Preece from the National Pensioners' Convention who is discussing the organisation's Dignity Code.

Professor John Williams of Aberystwyth University is also giving a talk about human rights and dignity.

Aneurin Bevan NHS Trust's Denise Llewelyn will be covering delivering dignity in an NHS setting and Jan Wood from Care Forum Wales is set to look at dignity in care homes.

There will be a question and answer session with the conference's speakers and workshops for delegates.