An alliance of politicians, regulators and charities is urging NHS nurses and care workers to sign a code of conduct that would guarantee dignity to the elderly patients, who receive treatment from the NHS hospitals.

Elderly pensioners are often mistreated in hospitals, as the staff does not speak to them with respect, they are denied privacy and best medical treatment. A letter to the The Daily Telegraph, which is signed by care minister Paul Burstow and his Labour shadow Liz Kendall, as well as charities, trade unions and academics is calling for a new Dignity Code for the staff members of the NHS.

National Pensioners' Convention, which represents the interest of elderly groups, has prepared guidelines for care workers. These guidelines could eventually be included in service contracts of the care workers in the NHS.

The letter to the publication said that many people have been denied the right to privacy or take their own decision for a long time. "In this era of human rights, too many older people have seen their basic human dignity undermined in situations where they are treated as objects rather than people," it read.

The call for a code of conduct comes following a series of scandals involving abuse of elderly and disables patients in hospitals in the country.