Anti-Discriminatory Practice In Mental Health Nursing

2158 Words9 Pages
Culturally competent, anti-discriminatory practice is a key issue in contemporary mental health nursing. Without respect for patient diversity, no therapeutic intervention can be considered truly holistic and the more vulnerable members of society are at risk of being marginalised by both a lack of effective services and the stigmatisation resulting from discriminatory attitudes. Equality in treatment and access to services for all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation, underlines standard one of The National Service Framework For Mental Health (DOH,1999), which aims to promote social inclusion whilst addressing the issue of discrimination associated with mental ill-health. More specific to the subject matter of the following scenario, the National Service Framework For Older People (DOH, 2001) sought to end age-discrimination and to improve mental health and dementia care services. Despite this, however, services for older people remain under-funded; dementia care in particular is poorly resourced, with only one-third of sufferers receiving an official diagnosis and many thousands denied early drug treatment due to restrictive NICE guidelines. This was recently condemned by a Health Select Committee Inquiry, and remains the focus of political debate. (Alzheimer’s Society, 2008) A new initiative has recently been developed by the department of health to tackle ageist practice and to promote the rights of older people, Dignity in Care. The practice guide, based on service-user experience, illustrates several key factors which determine whether or not a care experience is positive and meaningful; older people should be respected as individuals; older people want care providers who are patient, listen and do not rush them; older people require a service that is person-centred, rather than task-orientated. (DOH, 2007) The following

More about Anti-Discriminatory Practice In Mental Health Nursing

Open Document