Duty of Care: Definition Duty of Care is a legal obligation to always act in the best interests of everyone to ensure that those receiving healthcare services receive safe and appropriate care and safe from danger and misuse. It is a code of practice that should be adhered to by healthcare professionals in everything they do to ensure they stay within the legal requirements for their role and to ensure that they are protected in the event of a claim of malpractice or negligence. It is also important that healthcare professionals act with independence as they are responsible for the wellbeing of those they care for. They must stay within their own professional competence and confidence levels and do all that they can to keep those receiving care from them safe from harm, as those they look after are often the more vulnerable members of society. The healthcare professional must always keep front of mind that with this kind of role comes a certain amount of responsibility.
It is important to carry out duties that are in own job description, and that you are competent, it is also therefore necessary to regularly update own knowledge and skills in order to uphold and provide care standards in accordance with codes of practice of care setting and services. These include the use of any available resources such as equipment for example the use of hoists, for the movements of manual and people handling, ensuring training is up to date for example attending any mandatory training courses such as Health and safety , First Aid, Moving and Handling and so on. Remembering the importance of respecting the individual and preserving their dignity at all times, making sure confidentiality is followed. It is also our duty to report any concerns by completion of relevant forms, such as accident and / or incident forms and the use of the 'whistleblowing policy if necessary. 1.2 Duty of care ensures that patients are protected from harm and are kept safe from abuse by staff, other patients, family and friends.
1.1 Define the Term ‘duty of care’ Duty of care means that it is your duty to provide a good quality standard of care to the people you look after, your colleagues, your employer and yourself. This care must be provided at all times and must: * be carried out in a way that will keep people safe from harm * be carried out by acting in the best interest of individuals * be carried out within your own competence and do not do anything that cannot be done safely * work effectively as part of a team * Provide a high standard of practice and care at all times * remain professional at all times to maintain the good reputation of your profession * Keep clear and accurate records * Keep your knowledge and skills up to date * Maintain a safe working environment * Maintain personal hygiene 1.2 Describe how duty of care affects your own work role (think of the tasks you do) I must only carry out duties that are within my own job role, responsibility and competence. If I am asked to do a task that does not fall in line with the above then I must decline. I must follow and adhere to the correct companies policies and procedures and provide a standard of care in line with the principle ‘codes of practice’ in all aspects of my work. This includes acting in the best interests of the patients and ensuring their health, safety and welfare.
I have a duty of care to myself, my colleagues and the person I am caring for or anyone else affected by my actions. I would do this by attending regular team meetings, keep my training up to date, wearing protective clothing at all times whilst giving the clients care and disposing of it correctly, reading the care plan to ensure the correct care is given, recording everything whilst in the clients property and reporting anything that concerns me to the senior carer or manager. Understand support available for addressing dilemmas that may arise about duty of care As a domiciliary care worker I may experience many dilemmas. I would aim to help people live independently in their own homes and encourage them to make decisions for themselves. If I feel the decision the individual makes would cause harm to themselves, myself or any other being I am them faced with a dilemma.
You must be accountable for keeping records safe, reporting problems, and for your own decisions. You must also be observant and keep your training and policies up to date. You must follow standard procedures in all care work this includes use of resources and equipment. As your role as a carer you must respect the individuals wishes, maintain confidentiality and recognise signs and symptoms of abuse, we must also make sure that the individual has their right to make their own decisions and respect them, report concerns to line manager. Understand support available for addressing dilemmas that may arise about duty of care.
Introduction to duty of care in health and social care setting 1.1- define the term duty of care the duty of care is a moral and legal obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of the people you are being employed to look after, in my job this in means I must act in the best interests of individuals not act in anyway that will cause harm work within my limits and only complete tasks that I am confident and trained to do 1.2-describe how the duty of care affects own work role the duty of care protects and makes sure that everybody is safe, which means all staff members should be up to date on all policies and procedures and both the employees and employers should take action to ensure everyone has the correct training. 2.1- describe dilemmas that may arise between the duty of care and an individuals rights with certain individuals the duty of care may restrict them on doing things they have the right to do, things that in some instances will help them to become more independent, for example if a resident has the capacity and physical ability to cook a meal but has never done so, there is risk of them burning themselves but why should they not be allowed? This is when the correct safety precautions and risk assessments should take place. 2.2- explain where to get additional support and advice about how to resolve such dilemmas the following people may provide help with such problems but proper precautions must be taken to ensure safety The person’s family and friends colleagues GP Care professionals Advocates Union official Regulators 3.1 describe how to respond to complaints 3.2 identify main points of agreed procedures for handling complaints in my place of work we use the NHS easy read complaints procedure that is available to all residents in the home and has been made very simple so that anyone that is unhappy is
Finally, it is my duty and responsibility to treat clients with respect and dignity at all times. 1.2 Explain expectations about own work role as expressed in relevant standards In my setting all policies and procedures are kept in the main office or intranet and are available to view at all times. It is very important that I am familiar with these policies and follow them at all times. In my setting there is a safeguarding folder and it is my responsibility to read this file and keep up to date with any changes or amendments that may arise. This is important as I need to know what to do when I think there is a safeguarding issue with any patients.
Management ensures all employees are following organizational regulations and all kinds of operations are conducting in prescribed way. They make sure health and safety for the employees and clients. Employers will employ effective, energetic and experienced people as managers. They can employ specialists as well. Health and safety is very concerning issue in health and social care setting.
At Peace Haven House it is our duty to maintain a good standard of practice whilst ensuring that diversity, equality and right procedures are correctly followed. We must ensure that everyone has the right to be included and to be treated equally regardless of their background, race or gender . Everyone should be accepted and respected in a professionally dignified manner, according to the health and safety standards within the health and social care service. As health and social care practitioners, it is important to make sure that our behaviour at work is highly professional at all times. We must adhere to the policies and procedures of our setting.
Although this standard implies that family members should be considered a part of the health care team, HIPAA rules and regulations need to be followed as well. This standard also implies that Mr. E’s values and right to self determination should be honored. The nursing code of ethics that I feel applies to this case study is Provision 1, “The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and the uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems. (ANA, 2001) This code means to me that I, as the nurse, will do everything in my power to advocate for my patients right for self determination, to be open minded and value all