A2 The responsibilities of people who work in health and social care settings. Flashcards
What is the Meaning of the terms Policy?
Policy: Set out what is to be done and why. Establish how the organisation seeks to approach specific areas. Inform staff on why safeguarding service users, or whistleblowing is important, and how you want everyone to handle it. Are important in keeping service users and staff safe.
What is the meaning of the term Procedure?
Procedure: In health and social care, a procedure is a written set of step-by-step instructions for how a specific activity is to be conducted. Procedures are designed to carry out specific activities, such as administering medication to people or providing food and drink. Unlike a policy, a procedure is less about the overall attitude and approach.
What is the meaning of the term responsibility?
Responsibility: the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something
What is the meaning of the term Personal Care?
Personal care is the act or process of taking care of one’s hygiene, health, and appearance and is normally done by domiciliary care workers when people have physical or mental illness/disability, who may find it difficult to do daily tasks. Personal care has an impact on self-esteem and general confidence and these issues should be sensitively approached. Carers must discuss routines and preferences in terms of diet and personal hygiene, i.e. most people would prefer personal responsibility over their tasks. Independence should be encouraged, alongside dignity and privacy (Toilet, bathroom doors and shower curtains are closed) . You should follow the policies and procedures of the setting.
What is the meaning of the term CPD?
CPD: In order to maintain the high sector standards, professionals 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. The GMC,NMC,HCPC are required to complete regular professional training to remain on registers. Care managers are responsible in ensuring support staff who aren’t members of professional organisations regularly update and extend their skills.
What are Health and Safety policies?
A health and safety policy is a document outlining an organization’s commitment and approach to managing health and safety in the workplace. It is ultimately signed off by the person at the head of the organization. The policy describes a course of action that has been chosen to influence workplace decision-making and guide actions related to workplace health and safety. Health and safety policies commonly exist as a body of regulations that are defined at the level of government and are implemented by individual workplaces.
What are Safeguarding Policies?
The NHS policy for safeguarding is designed to protect children and adults. The policy applies to all staff employed, seconded, volunteering or contracted to work for the CCG. The safeguarding of children and adults is integral to commissioning, quality assurance, clinical governance, performance management and finance audit arrangements. The policy aims to direct staff on how the Trust meets its statutory safeguarding responsibilities, follows guidance, and promotes best practice. The policy defines the local arrangements, roles, and responsibilities and how as a Trust staff work together with partner agencies to safeguard children.
What are Medication Policies?
The objective of this policy is to ensure that: Patients benefit from timely, safe, cost effective and efficient use of medicines; Medicines are handled safely and securely minimising the risks associated with medicines management;
What are Risk Assessment Policies?
Risk assessments in healthcare are carried out to maintain safety and reduce accidents, injuries and identify faults. It is a part of the overarching process of risk management, which aims to identify, analyse and evaluate risks that may have a negative influence on the quality and safety of the care delivered.
What are Complaints Policies?
All care organisations must have complaints procedures, and these are also checked when the setting is inspected. Complaints should not be regarded as purely negative activity but rather as a source of information that will help improve the service. Complaints procedures vary in different organisations but will follow a similar format,
If anyone complains, they have a right to:
Have complaints be dealt with swiftly and effectively.
Proper and careful investigation of the concerns
Know the outcomes of those investigations
Have a judicial review of the facts
Receive compensation if they have been physically or psychologically harmed
Information .management and communication.
Health and social care organisations hold a wide range of diverse information about service users. This ranges from mundane concerns about holiday arrangements to very personal and sensitive information (Home addresses, telephone numbers, family details, information about criminal record and health issues) it is important that their data is confidential and if it is shared, there’s a legitimate reason for circumstances and preferences to be shared.
What are Whistleblowing Policies?
When a staff member raises awareness of low quality/ dangerous care, may inform the press, or powerful organisations (Police or professional body)
They may be employees at any level
Service user Feedback
Regular meetings for service users to share ideas/ concerns they may have for improving provision
Committee that represents all service users
Suggestions box
Private meeting with manager/ governor
External agencies (CQC, Ofsted,)
Criminal investigations
In cases of physical, financial, sexual, or emotional abuse, or any other case of broken law, police may investigate, healthcare workers may be removed from professional register and barred from professional practice.
What are Disclosure and Barring Service Policies?
DBS checks are mandatory for nearly every role in the health and social care sector. DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Services, which helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. A DBS check is a background check that allows employers to learn the criminal history of an applicant or one of their current employees. DBS checks help to keep those who are known to pose a risk to people who use CQC registered services out of the workforce.
What is Surgery? and how may it support recovery?, Who may be involved?
Will play a part in an individual’s recovery from illness and other physical disorders.
Health and care workers have a role in supporting people after surgery, such as visits from the district nurse to provide treatments such as changing dressings.
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists may be involved to promote mobility and assist in daily living activities.
Social workers may provide emotional support and ensure patient is accessing available services. Home care workers may provide practical help in home, such as preparing meals when necessary.
Community support is important for patients as they will continue recovering outside of the
Ward nurse, district nurse, consultant, health care assistant, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, home care worker. Community support.
What is rehabilitation? Who’s involved in it? and What are the benefits?
The purpose of a rehabilitation programme is to enable a person to recover from accident or serious illness and to live an independent and full life.
These programmes are particularly important after instances such as a heart attack, stroke, or an accident that has reduced mobility or reaction speed. Rehabilitation also helps people with mental illnesses.
The programme will vary based on a person’s physical and psychological needs and their home and family circumstances such as support from family, friends, and carers.
Rehabilitation may include support from physiotherapists, OT’S, counsellors, or psychotherapists, this may include complimentary therapies (non-conventional medical treatment).
Benefits:Avoiding costly hospitalization, Reducing hospital length of stay, Preventing re-admissions, Enabling individuals to participate in education and gainful employment.Remaining independent at homeRehabilitation also provides a structured and supportive environment, multiple therapies and treatments, goal setting and habit building, a focus on health, and ongoing support.
What is the importance of promoting independence? Who may it be needed for? What professionals may be involved in supporting independence?
Importance: Personal independence boosts your confidence. Less reliance on others. Emotional independence reduces stress and promotes happiness. Financial independence means freedom and a sense of accomplishment. Better decision making. More likely to be honest and communicate with healthcare professionals
Service Users with mobility issues: Arthritis patients, people who have broken a limb or recovering from surgery or stroke, people with progressive disease such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy.
There are many reasons for people needing temporary or permanent assistance with mobility or other daily activities, these are assessed by physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Other healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses may refer a service user to a physiotherapist and occupational therapist for assessment. Care assistants and health care assistants often provide ongoing support using equipment effectively and having adaptations to increase service user’s independence.
