Basic Values in Health and Social Care

Basic Values in Health and Social Care

Client’s rights in interpersonal situations

It is essential that health care workers should be clear about the

values, which underpin health and social care work. These values are

the basic beliefs about clients’, rights, which shape attitudes and

influence our methods of care.

Such values are reflected nationally in The Patients’ Charter. This is

a standard against which the care received by all users of the

National Health Service can be measured. The main points of The

Patients’ Charter are listed below. Read through them and then

complete the activity, which follows.

1 To receive health care on the basis of clinical need, regardless of

the ability to pay.

2 The right for respect of privacy, dignity and religious beliefs.

3 To have access to health records and for them to be treated

confidentially.

4 Information to be given to relatives and friends about the progress

of treatment, subject to the wishes of the client

5 To be referred to a consultant, acceptable to the patient, when the

GP thinks it necessary, and to be referred for a second opinion.

6 To be given a clear explanation of any treatment proposed, including

any risks and any alternatives.

7 To choose whether or not to take part in medical research or medical

student training.

8 To be given detailed information on local health services, including

quality standards and maximum waiting time.

9 To have complaint about NHS services investigated and to receive a

full and prompt reply from the chief executive of the health authority

or general manager of the hospital.

The role of health and s...

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...nts are required to divulge a great deal of personal

information about them-selves and they have a right to expect this

information to be kept confidential.

Disclosing information about clients

Sometimes it is desirable to disclose information to others, such as

concerned relatives or another health professional. Referring back to

The Patients Charter, this information is subject to the wishes of the

client’.

Usually, this is easy to arrange. If a relative telephones for a

progress report, the care worker can normally check with the client as

to what they are going to say. However, a client who is conscious or

recovering from an anaesthetic is unable to indicate consent. In these

cases, staffs still need to pass on information to the next of kin and

in the practice there are a few breaches of confidentiality.