Ethics & Values in Health & Social Care

Ethics and Values 1
ETHICS AND VALUES IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
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Ethics and Values 2
Task 1
Residential Substance Misuse Unit: Core Ethics and Values
Introduction
Workers at the care unit should observe the various ethical principles and values to
ensure quality attention to patients. The ethical values include respect, fairness, dignity,
autonomy, and equality (Doody, and Noonan, 2016). Caregivers should also avoid ‘doing harm’
to the patients. Organizations have codes of conduct that guide their practices. Employees should
observe the codes of conduct to ensure efficient productivity. Adhering to the various principles
of public life is a mandatory duty of staff members. Confidentiality is an ethical principle that
members of staff should observe when attending to the patients.
Respect
Respect refers to a process of considering and regarding the beliefs, values, and rights of other
individuals in an unbiased and objective manner (Curtice, and Exworthy, 2010). According to
FREDA, respect is enshrined in the Mental Health Act. According to the act, individuals must
respect and recognize the diverse circumstances, values, and needs of clients. The various
characteristics of patients that demand respect and recognition include sexual orientation, age,
gender, culture, religion, and race. The legislation obliges caregivers to consider the client's
feelings, views, and wishes before making any decision regarding medical attention. Care
providers must also respect the private life of the patient.
Fairness
Fairness demands that the caregiver should consider the opinions of patients before
beginning the process of care. The care providers should allow the patients to express their
views, listen to the client and weigh in other factors required before making decisions (Curtice,

Ethics and Values 3
and Exworthy, 2010). Being fair to patients involves allowing them to choose their preferred
method of care. Afterward, the care provider should grant the wish of the client. However, the
mental act has a clause explaining the incidences when the caregiver can go against the principle
of fairness. An example is when the caregiver feels that the patient’s choice is harmful.
Dignity
According to the domestic jurisprudence in the UK, the protection and recognition of
dignity is a critical core value in European society. Dignity refers to a manner, quality, or a state
worthy of respect or esteem (Curtice, and Exworthy, 2010). In care set-ups, dignity involves
providing care that promotes and supports an individual’s self-respect notwithstanding the status
of the patient. The principle of dignity requires caregivers to treat patients humanely. According
to the mental act, even the mentally challenged individuals deserve serious treatment. Therefore,
caregivers should observe dignity to remain on the right side of the law.
Autonomy
Autonomy is an ethical principle requiring caregivers to respect the opinions of the
patient regarding treatment (Doody, and Noonan, 2016). The caregiver must avail relevant and
adequate information to the patients before allowing them to air their opinions. The 2005
medical capacity act has embedded autonomy in its statute (Curtice, and Exworthy, 2010). The
act presumes that the client can make independent decisions. Certain caregivers have challenged
the principle of autonomy as constituted in the mental health act. Specific psychiatric patients
refuse to undergo medical attention, a scenario that forces psychiatrists to override the principle
of independence. Patients should allow caregivers to make decisions on their behalf if they
(clients) lack the mental capacity.
Equality