Unit 2 - Polices, procedures and regulation

• What is direct discrimination?

  Treating someone worse, differently or less favourably because of their characteristics. Examples include harassment (e.g. receiving abusive comments) and victimisation (e.g. being treated badly because you complained)
• How can a persons right to dignity be supported?

  By respecting a person's dignity e.g. providing privacy for a patient who is using the bathroom in hospital.
• What is confidentiality?

  Restricting access to information about a service user to individuals who are involved in their care, unless permission to disclose the information is given by the service user.
• Who can be an advocate?

  Some organisations and charities have professional advocacy services, friends family members and carers or an individual can be an advocate on their own behalf (self-advocacy)
• What happens after an inspection has been carried out?

  • the service provider is graded - this may reflect a range from outstanding or fully met to inadequate or not met
  • requirements or warning notices may be given, setting out improvements required and a timescale
  • organisations and individuals may be asked to implement policy and/or practice changes
  • in some instances, a provider may be required to limit the range of services or face criminal prosectution
• What actions could service users need to take after an inspection?

  • write and implement an improvement action plan
  • implement enhanced staff training, for example to ensure familiarity with policies and codes of practice
  • improve partnership working, such as when services have failed to protected vulnerable children
  • ensure changes to working practices, for example, changes to hand hygiene procedures.
• Give some examples of changes to working practices that result in service improvement in a hospital

  • monitor compliance with hand hygiene procedures
  • store cleaning equipment correctly to avoid cross contamination
  • replace damaged theatre equipment
  • provide better nutrition for patients
  • complete documents accurately
  • reduce delays in patient referral.
• Give some examples of changes to working practices that result in service improvement in an early years setting.

  • replace unsafe equipment
  • promote individual development and meet individual needs
  • improve record keeping
  • improve partnerships with parents
  • provide a rich learning environment that challenges and stimulates
  • improve leadership and motivate staff
• What is a code of practice?

  A set of guidelines, sometimes based on legal regulations, which explains the way members of a profession have to behave.
• How are organisations codes of practice implemented?

  • the H&SC Act (2008) requires that registered service providers must ensure that they have sufficient numbers of appropriately qualified staff
  • they must also provide/support training and professional development
  • in SC settings, new staff are required to complete an induction programme and to meet the requirements of the Common Induction Standards (2010) within 12 weeks of commencing their new job, all new employees should understand how to implement codes of practice and how to meet the current National Occupational Standards (NOS).
• What are National Occupational Standards (NOS)?

  They are statements of the standard of performance that individuals must achieve when carrying out functions in the workplace, together with the specification of the underpinning knowledge and understanding.
• What are some examples of NOS?

  • supporting individuals to use medication in social care settings
  • receiving visitors in health and social care settings
  • minimising the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfecting and storing care equipment
  • providing advice and information to people who ask about health and social care issues
  • monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security of self and others
  • contributing to social care during emergency situations
• What is Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

  In order for H&SC practitioners to maintain the high standard required in the sector, they need to continually update their skills. This will ensure that they are following the best practice and most up-to-date procedures, based on recent research. All members of the GMC, the NMC and the HCPC are required to complete regular CDP training to remain on their registers. It is the responsibility of care managers to ensure that support staff who are not members of professional organisations also regularly update and extend their skills.
• Give some examples of CDP?

  • taking a training course
  • attending an educational event
  • studying for new qualifications
  • learning new aspects of a job
• Explain trade union memberships.

  Many practitioners will be members of trade unions or professional associations, which support them if they are accused of professional misconduct or are in conflict with their employer e.g. going on strike.
• Give some examples of trade unions for different professionals.

  Doctors: British Medical Association (BMA)

  Nurses: Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

  Midwives: Royal College of Midwives (RCM)

  Social Workers: UNISON
• How can hospitals ensure healthcare providers have the skills to meet the NOS?

  • arranging relevant training courses
  • mentoring from more experienced staff
  • providing opportunities for CPD
  • identifying skills through the interview/selection process
  • having a performance management system that identifies training needs
  • quality assurance from external agencies to help identify gaps in skills
  • policies/procedures available on the wards/units.
• What are some of the performance criteria that H&SC professionals must meet when meeting/greeting visitors?

  • talk to the visitor to find out why they are visiting
  • provide support to the visitor according to their needs
  • ensure that any information given to the visitor is accurate
  • maintain confidentiality
  • seek help if unable to deal with a situation
  • ensure that the visiting area is safe
• Give some examples of codes of practice

  • health and safety
  • data protection
  • confidentiality
  • professional conduct
  • end-of-life care
  • safeguarding
• Why do we need codes of practice?

  They:

  • are essential guides to best practice
  • inform practitioners of their rights and responsibilities
  • outline the behaviour and attitudes that service users can expect from service providers
  • help to achieve high-quality, compassionate care and support
  • enable for the safety of service users and service providers
• Explain training in H&SC.

  • before they become employees, worker have to gain qualifications
  • workers undertake induction before starting their jobs
  • workers undertake training while in post
  • workers are trained by other, more experienced professionals
  • workers can access training provided by their regulatory bodies
• Why is CPD important?

  • to ensure that a health professionals practice meets legislative requirements e.g. CQC standards
  • to promote high standards of care
  • service users receive the most effective care to meet their individual needs
  • ensures practice meets NOS
  • ensures professionals meet regulatory requirements from external and professional bodies e.g. NMC
  • ensures professionals implement the most up-to-date care