Unit 5 P3, M3, D2. Ethics sandra Byrne[Type here]
In the Healthcare setting we should always strive to practice Ethical working,
which is respecting and practising the fundamental values and principles
surrounding individuals with diverse needs, including facing moral questions
regarding what’s in the best interest for all included within the care plan. It’s
important how we treat one another and the environment; it is our attitudes and
practices and how we conduct ourselves as individuals. Ethics is about learning
our own values whilst learning to control and adapt our attitudes and behaviour.
It’s also about learning and investigating what is right and wrong conduct and
follow any guidelines that are in place or newly introduced. This should enable us
to adjust and remind us of right and wrong moral judgement and our behaviour
which allows us to practice the values.
It involves discussions about treatment and care choices that people, their
families, and service providers must face. For example, making decisions about a
terminally ill patient and deciding whether to cease medical intervention such as
prolonging their life or deciding on end-of-life care. This would be an ethical and
moral dilemma for all involved, which would include the health care user, the
family, and the health care professionals.
Ethical dilemmas and decisions are complicated, as everyone brings their own
experiences and values to the situation. However, it’s important that it also
surrounds the individual and not our own agenda. It involves respecting the
fundamental values and principles. Sometimes this will mean having to face
conflicts of interest and confront tough questions and decisions surrounding a
service user, for example, Jim still sees himself fit to drive, however his
daughter has concerns as he was previously in an accident. If Jim was insisting
on wanting to carry on driving, I personally would find It difficult to deny him
of this independence that he’s always had and enjoyed, but ethically its more
important to safeguard Jim and the public, so for me to do this, I would need
to take in the facts surrounding the accident alongside the fact he is
prescribed frusemide and nifedipine, both of which can cause side effects
such as nausea and dizziness. I would then need to evaluate the outcome of
both allowing or denying Jim his wishes. My own values and principles of not
wanting to take away his autonomy verses him having another accident is what
is at question here for me. Morally, legally, and ethically to minimalize risk of
another accident, the only solution is for him not to drive until he has been
seen by his gp and have tests done to assess his driving abilities.
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,Unit 5 P3, M3, D2. Ethics sandra Byrne[Type here]
When caring for R who is very unsteady on his feet and has occasional epileptic
seizures. He refuses to use aids that have been supplied for him, this could
cause a conflict of interest as he thinks they are only for old people. Weighing
up the facts surrounding the provision of support in his care plan, it’s clear
that R doesn’t see himself as old and still likes to go out and socialise. Reading
his care plan, it says I should ensure he uses the wheelchair provided when
going out. This could cause distress for him if I put pressure on him to use it.
Evaluating the outcomes of him using it verses not using it, I would probably
have to insist on him uses them. The justification for this decision is if R had a
seizure and fell whilst out with me, his physical health would be at risk, and I
would be legally responsible.
By identifying the potential advantages and disadvantages of different
scenarios and actions, recognizing the risks, and implementing plans and actions
that safeguard and reflect the service user's potential and wellbeing are the
overall key to any ethical practice.
There are seven principles and ethical standards adopted by regulators within
the healthcare sector. This will allow me to help with both Jim and R needs
effectively. It has been commissioned by the Committee on Standards in Public
Life. The meaning of ‘ethical standards’ for this purpose is based on the Seven
Principles of Public Life: - selflessness, integrity, objectivity, openness,
accountability, leadership and honesty (the Seven Principles) www.gov.uk1
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Accessed: 23/01/22
There is a house of care Framework which could help me with making ethical
decisions to help with the improvement of provisions in specific areas of person-
centred care for all service users the framework and is aimed at supporting all
healthcare professionals access any relevant information and agree on the best
care plan for the overall well-being of Jim and R and is commonly used within
the (NHS National Health service)
The NHS England and partners are using the ‘House of Care’ which is a checklist
for these building blocks of high-quality care. The House of care reports that
there are “four key interdependent components, all of which must be present
for the goal, person-centred coordinated care.”
Commissioning – which is not simply procurement but a system improvement
process, the outcomes of each cycle informing the next one.
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, Unit 5 P3, M3, D2. Ethics sandra Byrne[Type here]
Engaged, informed individuals and carers – enabling individuals to self-manage
and know how to access the services they need when and where they need them.
Organisational and clinical processes – structured around the needs of
patients and carers using the best evidence available, co-designed with service
users where possible.
Health and care professionals working in partnership – listening, supporting,
and collaborating for continuity of care.
www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/4 Accessed: 23/01/22
For many years health care professionals have been using the theoretical
methods for telling right from wrong and giving guidance on acting morally. If
they are faced with difficult circumstances, they can the ethical theories to
help make the right choices for the service user and all involved.
All the theories have a diverse method; however, they all have the same end
goal and that is to reach morally right decisions.
Understanding the key theories empowers health care professionals to use the
information they have, weigh up the risks involved, suggest ethically right
actions in the circumstances and justify their choices.
When caring for Jim and R, I would use the ethical theories to help manage my
choices when facing a challenging situation that may arise. Having a clear
understanding of the key theories and how to utilise them will enable me to
make well-informed decisions in any ethical issues with Jim and R.
CONSEQUENTIALISM: Among the earliest scholars of consequentialism were
Jeremey Bentham (1748-1832) and one of his students, John Stuart Mill (1806-
1873). A recent writer on consequentialism is Peter Singer. (Born 6 July 1946)
This theory states that the right response is identified with the result, or
outcome, of the act, not its aims or motives and should consider the possible
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