Diversity, Rights And Equality In Health And Socia

737 Words3 Pages
Diversity, Rights and Equality in Health and Social Care Define and discuss your understanding of the terms ‘Diversity’, ‘Rights’ and ‘Equality’ using examples from keynote lectures and seminar discussions. Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (2010) suggests that Diversity is the word used to describe the relative uniqueness of each individual. Our uniqueness includes our skills, interests, experience, values and ambitions. Each of us is rich with possibilities. It was mentioned in a seminar discussion that Health Care Professionals have a professional responsibility to be aware of cultural differences and diversity in order to encourage self enlightenment. Providing care and interventions that not only makes a positive difference, but also do so in ways that respect and value diversity is now high on the agenda for Mental Health Practice (UK DoH, 2004). It is important that Health Care Professionals recognise that it is inevitable that they will provide care for members of society who come from a diverse background. NHS Kensington and Chelsea provide services to an ethnically and culturally diverse community. With over 100 languages spoken, nearly half of all residents are born outside the UK. One in five residents is from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups (Kensington and Chelsea PCT, 2010) Oxford Mini Dictionary & Thesaurus (2008) defines Right(s) as an entitlement to have or do something. Rights are enshrined in law so that members of society, more importantly vulnerable individuals can be protected from discrimination. A documentary programme presented in a keynote lecture highlighted that it is the statutory right of every pregnant woman to be attended by a registered midwife during pregnancy, labour and until the baby is 28 days old. Re B (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [2002] emphasized that the right of a competent
Open Document