Unit 5 - Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
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Health and Social Care Unit 5 - Aim B
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Unit 5 - Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
Aim B - An explanation of how to incorporate ethical principles into the provision of support for individuals with different needs.
Includes all passes, merits and distinctions.
Received a distinction.
Case studies - Aisha and Valarie.
Unit 5 - Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
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Milly O’Sullivan
An explanation of how to incorporate ethical principles into the provision of support for
individuals with different needs
Introduction
Ethical = dealing with right and wrong behaviour
Morals = views, beliefs, and principles about what is right and wrong
Ethical working incudes respecting values and principles that underpin practise as well as facing
moral questions. When conducting research for health and social care use, it must follow ethical
practises and guidelines, gain approval from research ethics committee, and have research
governance authorisation. This ensures that the data is collected in a trustworthy way without
fabrication or misrepresentation.
In healthcare, ethics is vital as the wellbeing of patients is dependent on the ethical decisions made
by service providers. This means it is extremely important for healthcare providers and
administrators to carry out activities in an ethical, fair manner. There can be many difficult decisions
to be made as a worker in the health and social care sector, to come to a fair conclusion they must
look at the code of conduct to find the correct way to deal with the situation.
Ethical theories
Many philosophers have produced theoretical ways of telling right from wrong and gave guidelines
on how to live and act ethically. When in a difficult situation, ethical theories as well as life
experiences can be used to guide decisions.
Consequentialism
Early writers included Jeremy Bentham and his student, John Stuart Mill, which was continued by
modern writer, Peter Singer. After researching, I found that theory states that the correct moral
response is based on the outcome or consequences of the act, instead of intentions or motives.
When in health and social care, this would involve looking at the impacts of the decision on the
person’s wellbeing and those around them. A person should choose the action that maximises good
consequences.
Pneumonia treatment can involve nutrition, medication, or therapy – each will have side effects. It is
recommended to consume lean proteins (chickens) which may interfere with her religion as some
Buddhist types require a meat-free diet. This can also be the case if the tablets given include gelatine
or another animal produce. Equally, as pneumonia weakens the immune system, the side effects of
the medicine given can last longer and be more prominent for Aisha. Dependent on the cause of
pneumonia (bacterial, viral, fungal) each medicine can cause different side effects with varied
probability. Oxygen therapy maintains oxygen levels in the blood and can constrict blood vessels,
increasing the risk of paralysis and heart attacks. It may also cause pulmonary, CNS disorders or
seizures. Due to Aisha being an elderly patient, at 82, she may be at higher risk to these side effects
which can cause serious damage and possibly death.
Valarie’s burst appendix required removal surgery (either laparoscopic or laparotomy) that was
made more complicated due to her obesity. This is because it can put you at risk from certain side
effects and complications that must be considered when giving treatment to Valarie and other
, patients who are above the recommended weight. Recovery from surgery is typically quick, lasting
up to 14 days in which you must restrict physical activity. Obesity has many consequences ranging
from low quality of life to life-threatening conditions such as cancer, breathing difficulties and
therefore death. Due to Valarie’s mental health issues and low self-esteem she is unaware on why
she needs to lose weight. Dieticians may try to encourage her to start her weight loss journey by
providing her with information and resources to help her make healthy lifestyle decisions. Her
weight loss may then clash with the reduced mobility necessary for her surgery recovery and could
consequently cause further health issues either way.
Deontology
Research shows that Immanuel Kant and W.D. Ross wrote this theory, stating that you should stick
to your obligations and duties to an individual or group when making decisions. Kant believed that
ethical actions follow universal moral laws. It focuses on intentions rather than outcomes of actions.
This means that rules about who receives what treatment are universal and consistent. All patients
are given the duty of care and not being harmed. You must question the rule behind the actions
done which should be applied to everyone if deemed just. It also involves recognising another
person’s vulnerability and avoiding manipulation.
The Care Act 2014 changed adult social care services in over 60 years, creating the “consolidating
statute”. It combined several existing legislations making it easier for the public to understand why
things happen in a certain way and having more control of their care. The act’s principles include:
the patients views, wishes, feelings and beliefs should always be considered; the main aim of
professionals is on your well-being, reducing your current and future need for care and support; any
decisions made should be with your involvement and consider relevant circumstances; professionals
should work to protect you and others from abuse and neglect, and ensure actions taken don’t
affect your rights and freedom.
For Aisha, an older individual with dementia, the Care Act 2014 means that service providers must
give clearer information and advice to have control over their care. Aisha’s dementia can cause
communication issues meaning it can be more difficult for her to understand the information given,
if this is the case, the professionals must take their time to ensure she is fully aware. Lack of
communication may mean she is provided an advocate to converse her needs for her, the act also
provides an emphasis on those who need someone to speak on their behalf. This allows the service
providers to understand Aisha’s situation without being pressured to speak in a situation where she
may be unable or feel uncomfortable.
The act puts greater emphasis on protecting vulnerable people from abuse and neglect, giving
support to individuals like Valarie who are regularly bullied. Although the abuse is not physical, her
mental health is impacted which is now affecting her physical health – obesity. In order to reduce
the amount of care and support she needs in the future; professionals should do as much as they
can to care for her mental and physical needs. Deontology means that these laws should be applied
to every individual in every place regardless of their situation.
Principlism
During research, I have found that writers such as Beauchamp and Childress emphasised four key
ethical principles to bring together elements of the best ethical theories, that are compatible with
most societies, religions, and individual beliefs. Autonomy involves respecting the decision-making
capabilities of service users, allowing them to make independent, reasoned, informed choices about
their care. The professionals are allowed to suggest and advise, but any form of persuasion is
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