In this section, I will be examining the ethical issues involved when providing care and support to
meet individual needs.
Ethics are respecting moral principles and basic values that underpin practice. Ethics will involve
facing moral questions, for instance, if an elderly patient is critically ill and is not well enough to
make an informed decision, doctors may have to decide whether to give treatment or not. Ethics are
thoroughly important as it will enable professionals to make rational decisions based on moral
principles and values. By making a decision based on ethics, it will allow the patient to receive the
best standard and quality of care in their best interest.
In Nusrat's case study, there may be an ethical issue in taking Nusrat to the toilet, as this may
infringe on her dignity. This may cause an ethical issue, as Nusrat's privacy may be invaded. It
thoroughly important that Nusrat's privacy is maintained as if it is exposed it could cause Nusrat to
feel exposed and unprotected.
Likewise, in Alice's case study, there may be an ethical issue if Alice's privacy and confidentiality
were broken. As, if Alice's confidentiality was broken, it could destroy the trust and relationships
that she has with the manger, G.P. and bereavement counsellor. However, it could also cause Alice
to feel embarrassed, loss of her dignity and could cause harm. As people can be prejudice about
mental health conditions and they may start to develop a stigmatisation, which would mean they
could treat Alice differently, which would affect her self-esteem and motivation. Thus Alice's safety
could be at risk because of her depression as if sensitive information is disclosed to those who
should not have access to it, it is likely to affect Alice negatively.
Lastly, in Maria's case study there may be an ethical issue with Maria's mother, as Maria's mother
autonomy, may not be respected, as she may be seen as vulnerable, due to her suffering from
dementia. Thus healthcare professionals may take advantage of her and may not promote her rights.
As well, she may not be treated fairly nor equally.
There are four ethical theories, in which philosophers came up with to tell what was right from
wrong. The four ethical theories help to determine what is the right thing to do in a given situation.
By understanding each of the ethical theories, it will help professions to decide what is ethically right
and will allow them to come to an informed decision.
The four ethical theories are:
• Consequentialism
• Deontology
• Virtue ethics
• Principilism
Consequentialism was founded by the English philosophers Bentham (1748-1832) and Mill (1806-
1873) and also by a more modern Australian philosopher Peter Singer (1946). Consequentialism says
that the correct moral response is solely related to the outcome or the consequence of a situation,
not the intentions. Consequentialism aims to maximise people's happiness, producing the best
consequences. For instance, if a doctor is faced with a dilemma, consequentialism would guide the
doctor to take into account not only the patient's well-being but the well-being of others, and to way
up what would produce the best outcome for the greatest number of people.
In Alice Fernandez's case study, consequentialism would suggest that Alice should attend the
counselling as Alice will receive a positive outcome from this, as it will help her with her recent loss.
, Deontology opposes to consequentialism, as deontology is based on the intentions, not the
outcomes of a situation. Deontology believes that when making a decision you should stick with your
obligations and duties, as philosophers Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and W.D Ross (1877-1971)
believe that people have a duty to do the right thing, even if it creates a bad outcome. Deontology
respect individuals and stresses the value of every human being, as they deem to think that every
individual should have and receive the best duty of care.
For instance, if someone was aware that Nusrat Patel had not been taking her medication for her
epilepsy, deontology would say that you should let a member of Nusrat's care team know as it can
be seen as your 'duty', as it could result in Nusrat having a seizure or a fit.
Principlism is a theory evolved around four key ethical principles, which comprise of autonomy,
beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. These four principles assist in ethical decision making.
Autonomy is respecting an individual's decision making, by permitting an individual to make a
rational, independent decision based on their own care taking into account the consequences.
Beneficence is helping and showing compassion toward others, but additionally, it is when a patient
gets all the necessary support needed which will benefit them while taking factors into account like
the patient's pain or their quality of life. Non-maleficence is causing no harm to a patient when
providing them with care and support. Finally, justice is to provide an equal service when caring and
supporting all patients regardless of their age, ethnicity or their nationality to give a few examples.
In Alice Fernandez's case study, the manager has advised Alice to attend an anonymous alcoholics
meeting. However, Alice has refused to go; therefore, according to principlism, her decision should
be respected.
Lastly, virtue ethics was developed by Aristotle, Plato and other ancient Greeks. This theory focuses
on the moral character of individuals. Virtue ethics helps individuals to understand what it means to
be a virtuous human being. When making a decision, in a health and social care setting, you would
base your decisions on your morals and what you believe is ethically correct.
In Maria Montanelli's case study Maria visit the G.P. due to the need for sleeping tablets. When the
G.P. is talking to Maria, virtue ethics would advise the G.P. to use soft tone as the G.P. would be
aware the Maria is finding it difficult to cope at the moment, hence this will make Maria feel relaxed
and comfortable.
In a health and social care setting, a health care professional is likely to experience conflict, with
service users, carer and/ or families, with the care decision they have made, cost and quality of care
and the behaviour of staff and colleagues. The NHS has a checklist when managing conflicts, for
instance in a meeting regarding a conflict that has arisen, it is essential to outline all the issues, to
show acknowledgement of emotions and the differences there may be, convince parties that
something can be done. However, it is important not to make promises, try to establish a good
rapport, create an action plan at the need and to try to cool down the situation. However, it is crucial
that you do not conduct the conversation in public, constantly interrupt, use inappropriate humour,
end the meeting without an action plan, finish the other person's sentence and not to distort the
truth. When a care worker is faced with a conflict of interest, they may need to find an ethical
solution.
A conflict of interest is when what may be in a person's best interest but not in another person best
interest. Ethics can be used to manage conflicts of interest. An example of a conflict of interest in
Nusrat's case study could be that members at the community centre may not want Nusrat to
