Compassion

Compassion is how care is given through relationships based on empathy, respect and dignity – it can also be described as intelligent kindness, and is central to how people perceive their care.

People receiving care and support want to be treated kindly, with respect and dignity. The key to quality service delivery is to seek understanding of individual needs, showing empathy, being sensitive and providing care and support that respects people’s diversity, dignity and individuality.

Demonstrating compassion also involves ensuring people are partners in their own care and support, and are at the heart of the decision-making process. People want their feedback and views to be listened to and acted upon, they want services to be designed to enable them to be involved in their care and support.

Practical actions that create a compassionate environment include:

• Actively listening to participants, their families and others involved in their care and support.
• Giving, inviting, affirming and learning from feedback.
• Collaborating across professional boundaries to ensure participants receive quality care and support.
• Inter-professional/organisational working.
• Being mindful of behaviours that get in the way of human-to-human connection.
• Celebrating and sharing information, data, what works well and best practice.