Impact of Legislation on Health and Social Care Service User Rights

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the rights of service users within the health and social care sector, examining the influence of key legislations such as the Equality Act 2010, Care Act 2014, and Data Protection Act 1998 on organizational policies and practices. It explores factors that impact the maximization of service user rights, including communication models, practitioner qualifications, and organizational policies. The report also analyzes the critical role of communication in promoting service user rights, detailing how effective communication strategies enhance awareness of rights and improve the quality of care. Furthermore, the report discusses various policies and procedures within health and social care aimed at minimizing negative impacts and establishing better management practices. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of adhering to legislation and fostering effective communication to ensure that service users receive equal rights and optimal care. The report also mentions the need for CQC monitoring of medication processes.

Empowering users of Health and
Social care services
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Current legislations and sector skills standards in influencing organisational policies .......4
1.2 Factors which affect maximising the rights of service users................................................4
1.3 Contribution of communication in the promotion rights of service users............................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
Covered in PPT...........................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Covered in Poster..................................................................................................................6
3.2 Different policies and procedures within health and social care...........................................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
Covered in Brochure...................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERNCES...................................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
There are many legislations, policies and codes of conduct which govern the functions of
health and social care organisations. The legislations which are required to be implemented by
health care organisations are Equality Act 2010, Care Act 2014, Data Protection Act 1998, etc.
The main aim behind implementation of such legislations is to protect rights of service users and
patients (Brett and et. al., 2014). This provides an opportunity to maximise the independence of
individuals and service users. NHS is a public organisation which provides basic health services
free of cost to the individuals of society.
In the present report, explain about, influence of legislation adopt by health and social
care organisation in maximisation of the rights of service users, factors which affects in
promotion of rights of users, factors which contribute in loss of independence and non
participation. Also, tensions which arise while balancing the rights of the service users.
TASK 1
1.1 Current legislations and sector skills standards in influencing organisational policies
All health and social care organisations which operate their functions are required to
implement all the legislation imposed by government of nation. These legislations govern
different functions of health and social care organisation and contribute in protection of rights of
service users (Health and Social Care, 2017). NHS is a public limited organisation which
provides health and care services required to implement all the legislations like Equality Act,
Data Protection Act, Care Act, etc. These acts are imposed by government for purpose of
protection of rights of service users and helps management of NHS in preparation of
organisational policies and practices which are promoting rights of service users . Contribution
of such different legislations is given as below:
 Equality act: This act provides that Health and social care organisation doenot many any
discrimination with the service users and the employees on the basis of their health and
social condition (Cameron and et. al., 2014). This act bounds NHS to treat all the
patients with zero discrimination and doesn't make any difference on the basis of age,
education, gender, religion, etc. This helps the services users to freely enjoy services of
care homes and have equal rights.
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 Data protection act: This is another important legislation which is required to be
followed by the management of NHS in deployment of their functions. This legislation
bound the management of NHS not to disclose the private and confidential information of
patients. This includes about medical reports, diagnosis information and patients financial
information to any third party.
 Care act: This is an important legislation imposed by government for health and social
care sector to provide equal care to all the service users irrespective of their financial
position and status in society. This helps in the promotion of equality among rights of
service users and influence policies of NHS regarding acceptance of such legislations.
1.2 Factors which affect maximising the rights of service users
NHS is a public health and social care organisation which provides the services of health
care to individuals of society free of cost (Fotaki, 2011). Main aim of company is to provide
basic medical facilities and nobody in society is depriving from such facilities. It is duty of
management of NHS to promote and maximise the rights of service users. There are many
factors which provide opportunity to organisation in the achievement of their objectives. These
factors include communication model, working condition in health and social care sector,
qualification and attitudes of service providers as well as legislation and regulations. Impacts of
such factors are categorized in three categories like service users, practitioners and organisation
which are defined as below:
 Service users: Communication is an important factor which plays a vital role in
providing the information regarding different rights to service users. It is necessary
because service users are not aware with their rights and different legislations. So,
effective communication helps in the promotion of rights of service users (Funk, 2016).
Beliefs and attitude are also important factors which help in maximising the
independence of service users. As they belief on their government and the legislation provide by
them.
 Practitioners: They are required to follow many rules and regulations while providing
their services. This will reduce their power as they don't have the right to change such
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laws. So, it is important for practitioners of NHS to understand the needs of service users
and patients.
 Organisations: Services of NHS depend upon the policies and procedures which are
adopted by management (Twigg and et. al., 2011). The leaders and management have full
control on functions and policies of NHS as well as their personal beliefs and attitude
have high impact on organisation in promotion of rights of service users.
1.3 Contribution of communication in the promotion rights of service users
Communication is the process of transferring thoughts and ideas in between two people.
In health and social care sector, communication plays an important role to understand the
problems of patients and service users and provide proper treatment and solutions. It is the duty
of management of NHS to adopt techniques and develop effective communication process which
helps care workers to make healthy relations with their service users (Goodwin and et. al., 2011.
Use of such techniques helps in development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills in
health professionals so that they can understand problems of such persons which are suffering
from mental disorder and learning disability. These skills help them in providence of
information regarding rights which are available to services users. The ways in which effective
communication between care workers of NHS and service users help in promotion and
maximising the rights are defined as below:
 Communication helps in clearly transferring the rights which are provided by different
legislations like Equality act, Data protection act, Care act, etc.
 The service user required to more clear about different situations which enhance their
decision-making power.
 Due to communication they get the chance to know their rights which enhance the lives
of services users as care workers of NHS are required to adopt proper approaches for
their treatment (Lewis and West, 2014).
 Effective communication between the care workers and service users of NHS helps in
getting feedbacks regarding their existing services and provides an opportunity to
improve their approaches and services which maximises their rights.
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TASK 2
Covered in PPT
TASK 3
3.1 Covered in Poster
3.2 Different policies and procedures within health and social care
As there is continuous increase in the issues related to health and social care it is required
that effective policies and strategies are followed so that their negative impact can be minimised
and better management is established. Different policies related to this sector which helps in
delivery of quality services are like following proper managerial approach. It is an important
mode through which performance level of different employees who are part of that organisation
can be raised (Lowes and Hulatt, 2013) This approach also has crucial role in motivating
employees as when they are provided with greater guidance their quality f results gets imported.
Risk can be further reduced by providing effective training to those who are new in this field so
that they can use the provided resources effectively. This will reduce accidents in health and care
department and will also minimise cost of operations (Munn-Giddings and Winter, 2013).
Monitoring on results should also be done so that any mistake or misconduct if observed than
can be improvised. This will help in saving much quality time of firm and hence will raise bran
name in market. Management of risk can be done if all the above discussed policies and
procedures are followed in a proper manner. Therefore, clear organisation policies should be
constructed using effective managerial approach. Continuous quality improvement is an one of
the most frequently used approach as through this satisfaction level of service user gets increased
and also teamwork gets improved (Mockford and et. al., 2011). Thereafter, quality assurance is
another approach that holds vital position in its sector. Through same several issues are
recognised which may have direct or indirect impact on the standards of work done.
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TASK 4
Covered in Brochure
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that, it is the duty of care homes to promote
and provide equal rights to all the service users. For this purpose, they are required to adopt
legislations like Equality act, Care act etc. Communication also plays an important role in
promotion of the rights among service users. It is the duty of CQC to monitor medication process
which are used by care homes and suggest them to implement legislation which helps in proper
medication to their patients.
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REFERNCES
Books and Journals
Brett, J. and et. al., 2014. Mapping the impact of patient and public involvement on health and
social care research: a systematic review. Health Expectations. 17(5). pp.637-650.
Cameron, A. and et. al., 2014. Factors that promote and hinder joint and integrated working
between health and social care services: a review of research literature. Health & social
care in the community. 22(3). pp.225-233.
Fotaki, M., 2011. Towards developing new partnerships in public services: users as consumers,
citizens and/or co‐producers in health and social care in England and Sweden. Public
Administration. 89(3). pp.933-955.
Funk, M., 2016. Global burden of mental disorders and the need for a comprehensive,
coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level.
Goodwin, N. and et. al., 2011. A report to the Department of Health and the NHS Future Forum.
Integrated care for patients and populations: improving outcomes by working together.
Lewis, J. and West, A., 2014. Re-shaping social care services for older people in England: policy
development and the problem of achieving ‘good care’. Journal of social policy. 43(1).
pp.1-18.
Lowes, L. and Hulatt, I. Eds., 2013. Involving service users in health and social care research.
Routledge.
Mockford, C. and et. al., 2011. The impact of patient and public involvement on UK NHS health
care: a systematic review. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 24(1).
pp.28-38.
Munn-Giddings, C. and Winter, R., 2013. A handbook for action research in health and social
care. Routledge.
Twigg, J. and et. al., 2011. Conceptualising body work in health and social care. Sociology of
Health & Illness. 33(2). pp.171-188.
Online
Health and Social Care, 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_and_Social_Care>.
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