FEBRUARY is National Dignity Month and the hospital is raising awareness of its efforts to improve patients’ experiences.

Dignity is about treating patients as being of worth, in a way that is respectful of them as individuals. Dignified care, or the lack of it, can have a profound effect on patient wellbeing.

Chair of the hospital’sdignity group, Angela Cohen, said: “Small but important measures we have brought in at Southend Hospital reallyhelp put patients at ease and make them feel less vulnerable and anxious.

“It’s an important part of our patient care and enables us to not just maintain it, but to improve it.

“For many, coming into hospital can be a daunting experience and giving a patient their dignity, with a paper bra or a paper pair of shorts, where previously theywould have just been wearing nothing under their gown, can makeamassive difference.”

The hospital was one of the first in the country to start using paper bras, which it has been doing for the past 12 months. Although they won’t be winning any fashion awards any time soon, they are practical, disposable and have beenamassive hit. You could say patients think they are ‘bravellous’.”

Ms Cohen added: “People say to me, ‘what price is dignity?’ And I tell them 12p a bra, for patients’ and relatives’ peace of mind.”

The hospital is home to dignity curtains in patient rooms, dignity bras, dignity shorts and a dignity barrier in main outpatient areas so patients on trollies are shielded from coffee drinkers and sandwich eaters.

Find out more at www.dignity incare.org.uk