SIR MICHAEL CHAMPIONS THE CALL FOR DIGNITY

Sir Michael Parkinson has learnt how Anchor Homes has boosted a Government campaign to improve the lives of people living in care homes across the UK.

Care Services Minister Phil Hope (far right) and Sir Michael Parkinson meet Anchor Homes’ Managing Director Jane Ashcroft and Help the Aged’s Policy Director Paul Cann for a working lunch at Sir Michael’s restaurant, The Royal Oak, in Maidenhead.

Accompanied by Care Services Minister Phil Hope, Sir Michael learnt how Anchor Homes’ commitment to quality dementia training for its staff has helped the Department of Health pass its goal of 3,000 Dignity Champions nation-wide.

The DoH Dignity in Care Campaign aims to drive up care standards and encourages people to become Dignity Champions, spreading best practice and giving advice. Anchor Homes’ Managing Director Jane Ashcroft said the not-for-profit organisation now had more than 300 Dignity Champions.

Since becoming a Dignity Ambassador in May, Sir Michael has helped raise the profile of the campaign and the work of Dignity Champions. Mr Hope wanted Sir Michael to hear about the success of Anchor Homes.

Mrs Ashcroft, who is also the Vice-Chair of the English Community Care Association (ECCA), said: “Maintaining the dignity of residents must be at the heart of every residential care service. We at Anchor are aware of how important it is to care for people with dementia with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“The number of people with dementia in the UK will soar from 700,000 today to more than a million by 2025. Anchor has addressed this issue head-on, giving dementia care training to more than 5,000 care staff in Anchor’s 102 residential and nursing homes.

“We also have 309 Dignity Champions who have received advanced dementia training. Anchor now has more Dignity Champions than any other care provider outside of the NHS.”

Sir Michael Parkinson added he had been inspired by the Dignity Champions he had met. He said: "I have had have the great honour of meeting some of our nation’s real unsung heroes, hearing their stories and bringing attention to what they are doing to hopefully inspire many others to follow suit.”

Care Services Minister Phil Hope said: “Dignity is about quality of life and enabling people to live their own lives as they wish, confident that the care and support they receive is of high quality.

“Government alone cannot make this happen. I look forward to continuing to work with the wide range of organisations that provide care services and represent the interests of those using them.”

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