The Foundations of Equality, Diversity, and Rights in Health and Social Care

Equality, diversity, and rights in health and social care will all be covered in this article. You need to be aware of these concerns because you will encounter them every day. By completing the Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care course, you can understand the foundations of equality, diversity, and rights in health and social care.

This session will educate you on how to support a victim and teach the offending party how to avoid doing the same. Additionally, it will address discrimination and your rights at work.

Understand Concepts of Equality, Diversity and Rights in Relation to Health and Social Care

People are treated fairly and equitably when they are treated equally. Age, colour, sexual orientation, handicap, or gender should not be grounds for discrimination.

Diversity entails realising that each person is distinct. Everybody’s differences, including their ethnicity or views, should be acknowledged and welcomed.

People’s legal entitlements are known as their rights. Among the rights are: Choice: This implies that people are in charge of their own life.

Confidentiality: Information on patients should be kept private unless they are in danger.

Protection from Abuse/Harm: To guarantee a patient’s safety, safeguarding protocols should be in place.

Equal and Fair Treatment: Regardless of differences, patients should be treated in accordance with the law and their needs.

Consultation: It is important to consider the opinions and views of service users.

Right to Life: A person’s life is protected by law and ought to be respected and valued.

The Benefits of Diversity

People from a wide range of backgrounds live in Britain. In the 1800s, Jews and Irish left, and starting in 1948, Caribbean people did the same.

Immigration from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s, East Africans, Asians, and Vietnamese came next. In the 1980s, refugees from Eastern Europe arrived.

Individuals from a variety of backgrounds will use health and social services. You ought to be conscious of any prejudice directed towards patients.

However, you must be fair to those who exhibit this discrimination. They might want assistance since they are in a vulnerable mental condition.

Social and Cultural Benefits of Diversity

There are many social and cultural benefits to diversity, which bring about cultural enrichment:

• Foreign films, plays, and museum exhibitions are examples of the arts that can introduce diversity to a wide audience and foster a deeper appreciation of different cultures.
• Another advantage of diversity is the variety of cuisine. The popularity of foreign food in Britain has an impact on the culinary options provided by the health and social care sector. Dietary needs, religious convictions, and personal preferences must all be considered.
• Different languages and cultures are increasingly taught in schools. Positive transformation is impacted by managers with a variety of backgrounds. Training on equality, diversity, and rights must be offered by all organisations.
• For health professionals, being multilingual creates additional options.

● Due to patients who don’t speak English, there is a strong demand for second language speakers.

• Tolerance is necessary for those working in health and social care. Regardless of your opinions or those of your patients, you must act professionally.
• Close-knit communities provide a secure and compassionate setting.

● People support and keep together. Respecting each member of your diverse team is essential to this link in the health and social care sectors.

The Economic Benefits of Diversity

1. Britain benefits from diversity in a number of ways, including imports, exports, food, and apparel. New methods for social and health care are also being discussed.
2. One organisation attempting to represent diversity in its personnel is the Health and Social Care Service. This illustrates how diverse their clientele is.

Health and Social Care Settings

RESIDENTIAL CARE

A person may not require nursing care when they leave their home to obtain care in a safe setting.

This setting meets a person’s social care needs, such as:

1. Personal care
2. Taking medicine correctly
3. Arranging health visits
4. Encouraging independence

DAY CARE

People who need daily care but don’t need residential care can use this service. Services like these are available to them:

Physiotherapy Community day Centre visits Healthcare visits

Depending on an evaluation of their need, these service users might have day carers.

NURSING CARE

If a service user is sick or has unique medical needs, they can need nursing care. Nursing care includes a wide range of patients and treatments.

Ward nurses, midwives, and mental health nurses in hospitals or general practitioners’ offices are examples of specialist nursing care.

DOMICILIARY CARE

Some service users may choose to receive treatment at home. Meal services, house calls, and childbirth are examples of services.

Active Promotion of Equality and Individual Rights

Health and social care workers must promote equality and an individual’s rights

The Principles of the Care Value Base

There are seven principles that make the patient the focus:

1. The advancement of anti-discrimination measures
2. The encouragement and upholding of safety, independence, and dignity
3. Respect for and recognition of a person’s identity and personal convictions
4. Confidentiality preservation
5. Defence against mistreatment and injury
6. The encouragement of successful relationships and communication
7. Giving each person individualised care

These principles split into the following concepts:

• Inclusivity
• Access
• Trust
• Confidentiality
• Choice
• Participation
• Honesty and openness
• Respect
• Safety

Anti-Discriminatory Practice – Empowering Individuals

It may be necessary to confront discriminating coworkers and service consumers in order to aggressively advance the anti-discriminatory practice. Although difficult, this may be required.

You can ask a reliable coworker or your line manager for assistance. The profession of health and social care empowers its members by supporting the advancement of individual rights.

Individual Rights

In the context of health and social care, “rights” refer to the fundamental ideas that guide care delivery.

The Right to Be Respected

One of the main responsibilities of health workers is to uphold everyone’s right to respect.

1. You have to protect people’s privacy, choice, dignity, and fundamental convictions.
2. Despite your frustration, you still have to respect their decisions. Demonstrating respect requires:

• Listening and communication skills
• Patience

• Acceptance of choices
• Non-judgemental attitude

The Right to Be Treated Equally and Not Discriminated Against

It is crucial that you avoid discrimination because you will be working with a variety of people.

The Right to Be Treated as an Individual

This can be achieved by appreciating and acknowledging diversity.

The Right to Be Treated in a Dignified Way

Individuals must be treated with respect to maintain their self-worth and dignity.

The Right to Be Allowed Privacy

Everyone has the right to privacy. It should be possible for patients to anticipate:

• That their care and treatment would remain confidential.
• Their details will remain private.
• Throughout the procedures, their dignity will be preserved.

The Right to Be Protected from Danger and Harm

You have the right to be protected from harm and risk, as do your patients. Every location needs the proper rules and regulations in addition to a health and safety policy.

The Right to Be Allowed Access to Information About Themselves

People can view their medical records and information thanks to the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act.

If you are responsible for a person’s health records, you should:

• Keep their records up to date and in order
• Being able to quickly and easily find the information
• Helping colleagues find information in your absence
• Keeping the person safe and secure

The Right to Be Able to Communicate Using Their Preferred Methods of Communication and Language

Everybody has a preferred language, and in order to ensure effective
communication, it’s critical to use it. Resources may be strained if interpreters and translators are needed for this. According to the Discrimination Act, reasonable accommodations must be made. Support for communication can be provided by:

• Employing multilingual staff
• Employing sta who speak the local common language
• Using interpreters and translators
• Using communication aids and different formats
• Seeing if the patient has a family member who can interpret The Right to Have Their Choices Taken into Account and Be Protected Patients have the right to:
• Select a hospital
• Select a care facility
• Select treatment

Discriminatory Practices in Health and Social Care

A cause of discrimination is called the “basis of discrimination”, of which there are several.

Culture

• A person’s culture is a significant factor that needs to be honoured.
• Respecting someone’s culture can enhance their health and foster a sense of understanding and support.

Disabilities

• In many places, discrimination based on disability is illegal.
• People with impairments must be fully accessible.
• Disability policies are mandated by law.

Age

When someone is subjected to unfavourable treatment or harassment because of their age, it is known as age discrimination.

Although there are disagreements over prescribing costly medications to senior individuals, it is illegal to refuse medication to someone based only on their age.

Social Class

Health outcomes are influenced by social class; for example, those in poverty are more likely to develop cancer.

According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, all people need to get the same treatment.

Gender

Unfair gender-based discrimination is prohibited by the Gender Equality Duty of 2007.

Sexuality

• It is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation.
• Anyone experiencing sexual discrimination can get legal assistance.

Health Status

• When considering a person’s health, deciding on their course of therapy can be challenging.
• It’s critical to consider your preconceptions and assumptions when making this choice.
• You should weigh financial reasons against the health of their patients.

Family Status

• Parents of different ethnicities, single parents, and gay or lesbian parents can all be the targets of discrimination.

Cognitive Ability

• Brain injuries, learning disabilities, social class, or education can lead to discrimination on the basis of cognitive ability
• You should take care never to discriminate in this manner

Discriminatory Practice

There are several behaviours that show discriminatory practice:

● Infringing a person’s rights can cause them to feel undervalued, causing their health to suffer

• Stereotypes and assumptions can affect a person’s health care

● Giving someone negative labels can affect the health and social care they receive

• Physical, verbal, or written bullying can be upsetting and have an impact on one’s mental health.
• Abuse will have a detrimental impact on a patient’s health and mental state whether it occurs through stress or a lack of oversight and training.

The Effects of Discriminatory Practice in Health and Social Care

Marginalisation (Treat a Person or a Group as Insignificant)

It is possible for someone to feel excluded from the main group. No one should be marginalised because of their gender, sexual orientation, or health.

Disempower (Make a Person or Group Less Powerful of Confident)

Feelings of powerlessness might result from discrimination. This can occasionally result in various health problems as well as feelings of depression and devaluation.

Low Self-Esteem and Self-Identity

Self-esteem or self-worth can be lost as a result of discrimination. If someone already suffers from these illnesses, this could be serious.

It is your responsibility as a health and social care provider to uplift or preserve a patient’s self-esteem as needed.

Restricted Opportunities

A person’s health may deteriorate as a result of discrimination that prevents them from using social and health care services.

Negative Behaviours Such as Aggression or Criminality

Discrimination can lead to negative behaviours, hostility, or criminal activity. People may vent their anger on those in authority, including medical experts, while they are going through difficult times.

Negative conduct may also be displayed by drug users or those who struggle with controlling their rage.

How Anti-Discriminatory Practise is Promoted in Health and Social Care Settings

The Active Promotion of Anti-Discriminatory Practice

Promotion 1

Ethical Principles

There are four ethical principles:

Justice: Everyone should be treated equally.

Autonomy: People’s decisions must be honoured.

Beneficence: You ought to behave in a way that is advantageous to the patient. Non-maleficence: Don’t cause more harm than good.

Promotion 2

Putting the Individual at the Heart of Service Provision

• In order to do this, the health and social care sectors ought to provide people with proactive support that is consistent with their values, customs, and preferences.
• They ought to encourage people’s rights, choices, and general well-being while also supporting and empowering them.

Promotion 3

Providing Active Support Consistent with the Beliefs, Culture and Preferences of the Individual

Active assistance entails doing everything in your power to assist a patient while also taking into consideration their preferences and values.

This support may be:

• Advice and guidance
• Medical and care planning information
• Physical support
• Social support
• Mental health

Promotion 4

Mental Health Support – Coping Strategies

Anyone who needs mental health support should have access to:

1. Social workers
2. Community mental health nurses
3. Occupational therapists

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Counsellors
• Community support workers

Promotion 5

Helping People Communicate Their Needs and Preferences

• BSL interpreters should be available to anyone who has communication difficulties, such as those who are deaf.
• The patient must be informed and given the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Promotion 6

Empowering Individuals

• Asking people whether they understand what they need and outlining the requirements for their care can empower them.
• This provides them authority and strengthens the

Promotion 7

Supporting the Rights, Choices, and Well-Being of Individuals

• You should provide them with a variety of communication options.
• The patient ought to feel appreciated and included.

Promotion 8

Balancing Individual Rights with the Rights of Others

• This calls for strong communication, negotiation, and organising abilities.
• Additionally, a network of services for support is required.

Personal Beliefs and Value Systems

Everybody has their own set of values and beliefs. You must make an effort to comprehend the perspectives of others.

Influences on Culture

• People’s communication style might be influenced by their strong cultural background.
• Respecting the cultures of all coworkers and clients is essential.

Influences on Beliefs

• Beliefs impact our self-perception and are formed at various periods and from various sources.
• It is important to respect everyone’s beliefs, regardless of their nature.

Past Event

• Past events can have a beneficial or negative impact on you.
• These incidents have the power to affect someone’s behaviour, so you should be mindful of them.

Socialisation

• Socialisation aids in our development since it teaches us how to interact with others.
• It has a significant impact on our life.

Environmental Influences

• Our upbringing has an impact on who we are.
• Access to health care is unfairly impacted by factors like location, income, and class.

Health and Well-Being

Our development and how we see ourselves and others are influenced by our health and well-being.

Labelling someone based on their health has the opposite effect.

Developing Greater Self-Awareness and Tolerance of Differences

You ought to examine your own and other people’s perceptions of yourself. This enables you to become more conscious.

Committing to the Care Value Base

You have to be devoted to the care value system.

Knowing this is crucial before starting a job in health and social care.

Careful Use of Language

Always be mindful of someone’s communication needs and seek assistance when required.

Speaking to coworkers and service users requires caution.

Working Within Legal, Ethical and Policy Guidelines

Following the rules and legislation pertaining to healthcare is essential.

To summarise

Understanding and applying the principles of equality, diversity, and rights is fundamental in health and social care settings. These principles not only ensure fair and equitable treatment for all individuals but also create a supportive environment that fosters respect, dignity, and empowerment.

By promoting inclusivity, actively supporting individual rights, and implementing anti-discriminatory practices, health and social care providers can address and

overcome challenges like prejudice and discrimination. Recognising and valuing diversity enriches both the cultural and economic landscape of society, while ethical principles and legal frameworks guide professionals in delivering high-quality care.

Ultimately, adhering to these principles contributes to a more compassionate, respectful, and effective health and social care system, where individuals’ unique needs and preferences are at the heart of service provision. Empowering both service users and professionals through respect, understanding, and collaboration ensures a positive and inclusive future for all.

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