February 4th 2026
Most of us don’t think about dignity when we log into a system, share a record or introduce a new piece of technology. Dignity Action Month gives us a chance to step back and consider when digital care supports dignity — and when it quietly gets in the way.
Led by Dignity in Care, Dignity Action Month is based on the Dignity Do’s. These are practical, values-based prompts about what good care feels like. When we look at them through a digital lens, they raise some important questions for providers.
Here are a few of the Dignity Do’s we’ve been reflecting on, and what they mean for data and technology in practice.
“Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse”
One of the core Dignity Do’s is having zero tolerance of abuse. Increasingly, this needs to include online harm.
Many people who draw on care are active online — using social media, shopping, banking, or keeping in touch with family and friends. While this brings independence and connection, it also brings risk. Scams, fraud and online exploitation disproportionately affect people who may already be vulnerable.
For providers, this isn’t about locking down devices or discouraging digital use. It’s about awareness. Do staff understand the kinds of online risks people may face? Do they know how to spot warning signs, start conversations, or signpost people to trusted guidance and support?
Supporting someone’s dignity here means helping them stay safe without taking control away. Feeling informed and supported, rather than restricted, is key.
“Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control”
Enabling independence, choice and control is another Dignity Do with a clear digital dimension.
Technology-enabled care — from monitoring systems and sensors to digital alarms and assistive devices — can make a real difference to people’s ability to live independently at home. For many, these tools offer reassurance, reduce unnecessary interventions, and support confidence in day-to-day life.
The dignity question isn’t whether these technologies are useful — often they clearly are. It’s whether people are genuinely involved in decisions about them.
Do people understand what the technology does, what data it collects, and how it will be used? Have they had the opportunity to ask questions, say no, or review arrangements over time?
Informed consent is not a one-off tick box. It’s central to preserving dignity when technology becomes part of someone’s care.
“Respect people’s right to privacy”
Respecting privacy is one of the clearest expressions of dignity — and digital care has made this both more important and more visible.
Digital systems that hold care information must have data protection and cyber security built in, not bolted on later. Secure design, access controls, audit trails and protection against cyber threats are all fundamental to protecting people’s dignity. If systems aren’t secure, dignity is already compromised.
But systems alone aren’t enough. Staff also need to understand what privacy means in a digital context. Care records often include deeply personal information — not just about health needs, but about routines, relationships and preferences. Accessing and sharing this information is often essential to supporting good care, but only when it’s genuinely needed.
Dignity depends on staff being confident about when they have the right — and the need — to access or share data, and when they don’t. It also means being able to explain this clearly to people who draw on care.
Good digital practice isn’t about avoiding data sharing altogether. It’s about sharing and accessing information lawfully, proportionately and for the right reasons.
“Engage with family members and carers as care partners”
Engaging families and carers as partners is another Dignity Do that digital systems can either support or complicate.
Good data sharing can help families feel informed, involved and reassured, particularly when they support care from a distance. Digital records and communication tools can improve continuity and reduce misunderstandings.
But dignity relies on getting the balance right. Consent matters. Boundaries matter. Not all information should be shared with everyone, and decisions about sharing should be clear, justified and explained.
“Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation”
Loneliness is one of the biggest threats to dignity, and it’s an area where technology can really help.
Often, it’s not about anything clever or new. Video calls, messaging apps and sharing photos can help people stay in touch with family, friends and communities.
We’re also seeing growing interest in companion or social robots as a way of offering stimulation and connection.
Get involved
What are you doing for Dignity Action Month? Share your plans and thoughts.
https://www.dignityincare.org.uk/
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