Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2009/January 2010 | Page 88

life

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Privacy, Dignity,
Respect
Your privacy, our responsibility

more single rooms and improving washing and
bathing facilities. Toilets and wash facilities are

The NHS believes that you have the right to be

now easily identifiable and are separate for

treated with dignity and respect. That’s why

men and women.

we’re committed to protecting your privacy and
dignity here on the Isle of Wight.
To achieve this, we have been carrying out

On the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), which cares
for patients with a range of cardiac conditions,
particularly those with chest pain or those

improvement works at St. Mary’s Hospital, The

recovering from a heart attack, a number of

Woodlands in Wootton and Shackleton, Ryde,

improvements have taken place. The nurses'

to ensure that in most areas men and women

station has been relocated to ensure all patients

do not have to share ward accommodation.

can still be monitored by staff when their side

This is part of a national campaign helping to

curtains are drawn whilst their privacy & dignity

improve patients’ privacy and dignity.

is maintained.

Research has found that both the environment

According to Gemma Downer, Staff Nurse on

in which patients are treated and the way they

CCU, “This is definitely an advantage, we are

are cared for, are important in ensuring their

able to observe and monitor all patients with

hospital stay is a good one. For example, if

often quite serious cardiac conditions but at the

you are undergoing a sensitive procedure,

same time we can provide them with privacy

sharing accommodation with members of the

and dignity, making sure they don’t have to

opposite sex can be worrying. So NHS Isle of

worry about their hospital stay.”

Wight is committed to providing single sex
accommodation where ever possible.

On the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at
St. Mary's Hospital, new separate toilet and

There may be some instances when single sex

shower facilities have been provided for male

accommodation cannot be provided, such as an

and female patients in newly designated bay

emergency, where fast, effective treatment is

areas which are separated by a partition wall.

more important. In these cases you will be kept
informed and moved as quickly as possible.
“Increasing single sex accommodation is

You can find out more about Privacy and
Dignity, the NHS Constitution and the Island’s
NHS at www.iow.nhs.uk.

essential in maintaining our high standard of
care and ensuring
the highest levels of
patient privacy and
dignity are met,” says
the Island’s Chief
Nurse Carol Alstrom.
“The NHS constitution
states that every
patient has the right
to be treated with
dignity and respect
and we are committed
to providing this.”
The improvement
work being carried
out includes, creating
88

Gemma Downer and Lucy Monk (Nurses)
pictured at the CCU station