ICON College BTEC HND Healthcare: Life Events and Support Systems

This report, prepared for a BTEC HND in Healthcare Practice, delves into the profound impact of significant life events on individuals across various stages of life, examining both expected and unexpected occurrences. It explores the physical, psychological, and social effects of events like pregnancy and car accidents, using detailed case studies to illustrate these impacts. The report analyzes the crucial role of healthcare and social care agencies in providing support, comparing statutory, voluntary, and external resources. It highlights the significance of family, friends, and social networks in aiding individuals through challenging times. The report also addresses the importance of organizational policies and referral processes in healthcare settings, offering insights into the support provided by healthcare assistants and the broader healthcare system. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges individuals face and the support systems available to help them navigate life's significant events.

16101
ICON College of Technology and Management
Department of Health and Social Care
BTEC HND in HealthCare Practice
Coursework
Supporting Individuals through Significant Life
Events
Unit 22
Page 1 of 19

16101
INTRODUCTION
Life event is based on the significant in reshaping the life of individuals. It will change any
event or occurrence, gain and loss, positive and negative but after that individuals get
changed and personality that is somehow affected. The documentation is based on the
individuals when they are experiencing significant changes and development in their lives.
It is important when they are not supported or given proper guideline which may break
down negative effects on society or community. The report will discuss about the impact of
unexpected and expected significant life event on the individuals at different stages of their
lives and ages. Furthermore, it also pinpoints the response of different groups at the time
of events. Apart from that it stresses and put efforts to analysis of how health, social care
companies provide support to individual person through experiencing, life event situations.
Furthermore, it will describe about how to compare between statutory, voluntary and
external agencies support in the individuals through their life events. The role of health
care assistant in providing appropriate support to individuals as group and perhaps as a
team. However, it will analyse the relationship between the organizational policies that
applied in practical aspects with health care setting, in order to address their life event
experiencing. At last, it will investigate the referral processes available to support
individual and identify effects on social networks through significant life event.
1. Case Study of rape and abortion
It was in June 2004, at age 14, Joan became pregnant from a date rape. She tried to hide
it from her parents, but they soon got to know due to unusual early morning nap,
reluctance to wake up early, slow reaction among other signs and symptoms of early or
the first trimester of pregnancy. The thought of missing College attendance, the need to
support the foetus that was in doubt whether it will eventually form or become a baby
occupied her mind.
With this constant thought and the inability to concentrate, Joan decided to visit the GP
Surgery to seek advice on abortion.
It was not quite long the abortion was over, it felt like her womb was being plucked out of
place and ripped apart, it was terrifyingly degrading and dehumanising. After the
procedure, Joan enquired from the doctor, ‘’What was the baby’s sex?’’ The doctor
answered, ‘’it is not certain what it was because it came out in pieces.’’
Page 2 of 19

16101
It was hard to come to terms with the impact of the abortion, Joan resorted to prostitution,
engaged in indiscriminate and unprotected sexual intercourse with men and slept with
whoever requested for sex without questioning. Each month Joan was either pregnant or
in deep but unexplained depression.
Soon, Joan dropped out of College and became defiant, but tried several times to kill
myself but was not courageous enough to put the rope around her neck, tried
unsuccessfully to get sleeping tablets from the counter and later resorted to heavy
alcoholic beverage consumption.
After few months, Joan got married to a man who perhaps was driven by the need to have
a child knowing well that her parents are not likely to disagree with this decision. Joan had
five children out of nine pregnancies but was shortly advised to quit having children by her
doctor because of the attendant risk to her life.
Reflecting on this unexpected events, Joan finds it difficult to forgive herself, her mum and
dad who insisted that the abortion was the right thing to do after all and have no regrets
but decided to join the a local Charity organisation counselling as she constantly
struggles to overcome her guilt and depression.
2. Case Study: Car Accident.
FH was a retired train driver at 62 who started working at age16 until retirement. FH looks
forwarding to self-employment and working on his own post retirement, as a result he
visits the local food store to acquire additional experience towards self-employment, he
also looks forward to working on his own inside his garden admiring his work.
On Thursday 15th September 2011 all these aspirations and visions evaporate and came
to a halt with the potential that it may not be possible to engage in physically demanding
activities for a long time or never again.
When FH was driving along Angel Road, a young drunken driver crashed and hit his car. It
was a day that eventually changed his life and those of his relatives, friends and
neighbours. FH was lucky to escape from the accident alive, the fire men cut through his
car to remove him to nearby waiting ambulance and taken to the A&E, soon on arrival the,
the surgeon did not waste time to identify that FH has had an internal bleeding and would
need an immediate abdominal surgery. FH remained in the Hospital for a while supported
by his wife, children and three grandchildren, they were not able to hide the grief on their
faces it was terrifying, they all supported FH with encouraging words.
Few hours later, additional x-ray scan revealed further damages to the upper vertebra, FH
was intubated, bandaged around the neck to restrict his movement, he had plastic surgery
Page 3 of 19

16101
to reset the two broken upper limb bones, the doctor noticed some swellings on his lower
limbs, X-rays later revealed a badly bruised and seriously dislocated left foot.
FH was supported by Health Care Assistants in the hospital during this period while
suffering from excruciating pain and they did everything possible to relieve the discomfort.
He returned home after two weeks and supported by friends and occasionally by
neighbours. Initially, FH experienced insomnia and cried sometimes uncontrollably, his
doctor prescribed antidepressant due to post traumatic stress disorder.
FH was later advised to visit the physiotherapy Unit for support to engage in physical
exercises and to strengthen his spine for about two months.
FH recalled being on his way to one of his friend’s birthday party when the accident
occurred, this made his friend to blame himself for the discomfort experienced by FH. He
felt guilty but reminded him that it was the fault of the drunken driver.
This unexpected experience hangs around every day and perhaps for the rest of his lives.
Describe the impact of unexpected and expected significant life event on
individuals at different ages, stages.
Life event is an experience that can be considered in both expected and unexpected. it
can have either positive as well as negative impact on the overall lifestyle of individuals.
As a result, they are significantly affected by different events (Koo Andersson and Tydén,
2020). The unexpected and expected event can be formed when it may be moving in the
wrong directions. In this way, it can be relating to relevant individuals that they are able to
identify the impact of different events (Friedman and et.al., 2020). On the other hand, it
also recognizes that effects on the individual lives in significant manner. The effect can be
divided into different groups: social, physical and psychological.
The expected life events are those that individuals either look forward to or planned for it
to happen. For instance, physical and physiological changes such as ageing, puberty and
menopause are all expected life events.
The unexpected life events are those that surprised individuals as they are not completely
aware that it could happen. It can be said that they are unplanned. For example,
unexpected death or car accident, incidents at work which could eventually lead to job loss
or unemployment, fire hazards, socio-political events such as Manchester Bombing Arena
and sudden ill health of loved ones are typical of unexpected life events.
Page 4 of 19

16101
For instance, it has been identified that events such as Pregnancy is a situation
considered as both painful and joyous. The reason behind the situation where concern
about female in proper support. She can enjoy their own moment of childbirth and handle
the unbearable pain easily (Seiler, Fagundes and Christian, 2020).
The physical pain that must be experienced by women in extreme level often has
significant impact on their entire life span. At the time of pregnancy, A women faces a lot
of pain and they often have massive physical impact on them. (Obst, Due and Middleton,
2020). It is very important for individuals or professionals surrounding women to provide
certain comfort or minimal support so that they can easily cope with pain. There are lot of
problem faced such as extensive pain, back aches. Another type of physical pain
experienced by pregnant women and recognized are fatigue issues. It is the most
common issue among women. Sometimes, they feel exhausted, tired or drained which
may eventually develop into insomnia, depression and Schizophrenia among other mental
health problems.
Similarly, Pregnancy may be considered an event subject to situation, experienced at
different stages or various age groups. Sometimes, it directly affects the mental health of
women due to changes in the hormonal secretions into the body. It is normal that women
may become irritable, sad and depressed. In this way, it is mainly symptomatic of the brain
functionality. As a sense, Pregnancy would also have effect on the mental status and
experience significant changes in their thinking styles (Clemens, Dibben and Shortt,
2020). On the other hand, emotional disturbance is the most common at the time of
pregnancy where they get emotional at same time. These types of changes occur in the
women mental condition. In most cases, it is very difficult to handle or manage them. As
per analysis, it has concluded that significant life event relates to pregnancy effects on the
mental as well as physical condition. It also identified that pregnant women bear both
psychological and physical effects in their lifetime.
Describe about the impact of different significant life event on individual’s family,
friends and wider social networks.
The significant life event has become increased challenges in the individuals lives so as
important to concern about individuals’ people like FH, give support and other necessary
help from family or friends. These people play an important role for providing emotional
Page 5 of 19

16101
support to individuals. They can undergo such significant life events with proper comfort
and ease (Seiler, Fagundes and Christian, 2020). These supports would be crucial for
individuals where they can face any type of situation and overcome the same. Therefore,
A pregnant woman needs support from their family members, friends, social contacts and
the larger community to soften the impact of events on individuals whilst encouraging to
take control of their lives once again. With appropriate supports in place the foetus is given
adequate protection and a higher degree of chances of survival to be born alive without
birth defects.
Apart from that it is not wrong to say that some of important people who will provide extra
support and aids to women with her family (Flouri, Francesconi and Lewis, 2020). They
are giving positive response towards pregnant women otherwise it may turn into negative
ways. So as necessary to show positive attitude, behaviour in front of pregnant women. In
families, parents and husband who will be happier and more excited. In such cases, they
can extend every kind of care, support and ensure that all occur with positive outcome.
Similarly, friends also play important role for individual life where they can provide support
for women as they also wish in future. They are always aiming to make pregnant women
happy, whilst providing both physical and emotional support. There are more chances
where family members become highly worried and stressed because of pregnant women
handling (Koo Andersson and Tydén, 2020). They can try to keep and maintain healthy
environment free from other kind of pressure or stress. Because there are lot of chances
where women may become stressed and irritable due to hormonal changes.
In normal cases, the response to pregnancy would be positive and show the sign of
excitement. In this way, family member would take steps and ensure that women become
safe, healthy and happy. It also analysed that response of family members towards
pregnancy could be mixed with proportion of same which belonging to positive responses
(Obst, Due and Middleton, 2020). In this way, it can go life event towards good attitude
and assume it is to be good situation.
Page 6 of 19

16101
Differentiate how different types of external voluntary and statutory agencies
support individuals through significant life events.
The significant life event related Pregnancy in case where they can influence the care
users, but they also affect individuals, who will provide essential health care services
(Seiler, Fagundes and Christian, 2020). thus, Significant life event have become
prominent influence over health care workers and other practitioners which provides better
and appropriate care to individual. This is the main reason to understand how healthcare
worker affects pregnancy event (Tian and Solomon, 2020).
It has been observed that health care professionals support and develop personal
relationship with patient in order to solve problems for example like Joan and FH cases.
External voluntary agencies support Women in their Pregnancy life event.
As per given case studies, care setting health organization have developed appropriate
policies and procedures to support individuals within their significant life events ( Seiler,
Fagundes and Christian, 2020). The external voluntary agency such as WHO guidelines
and make provision for proper management of health care services. This provides the
opportunity to analyse the strength and weaknesses of Agency Policies and Procedures
on how to manage or treat pregnant women during childbirth. It helps them to maintain
comfortable and normal daily activities.
Higher authorities of WHO that have developed different treatment plan for handling
pregnant women with other complication. Because the primary reason is to alleviate their
problem and monitor movement activity of child on regular basis (Armengaud. and
Simeoni, 2020). Sometimes, WHO can be divided into three different treatment steps:
psychological, care giving and pharmaceutical. Initially, agency provides different kind of
medicine which have been developed to maintain overall activities. Another option is
psychological intervention method. It is the most common approach that required for
pregnant women because at that time there are lots of hormonal changes in body. As A
Result, they can directly impact on physical as well as mental condition (Harries, Nicholas
and Mohan, 2020). This method is simulating the different part of brain. Another step is
normal care which provides support to pregnant women. There will be no medicine or
Page 7 of 19

16101
intervention technique used because it only gives routine check-up, care. Therefore, it
helps for controlling mood swings, attitude and behaviour.
Statutory agencies support Women in their Pregnancy life event.
Many statutory agencies such as NHS that have established the view to support
individuals who have different condition and situation. The agency may consider the prime
bodies that provide better services and facilities. The primary objective is to generate
awareness among people about the different kind of complications during pregnancy
(Seiler, Fagundes and Christian, 2020). In this way, it helps for providing better services in
terms of curing and treating problem for individuals. The primary goal of NHS is to connect
with individuals and identify their significant life events. In order to connect with all those
individuals, bodies working for providing better service to patient. On the other hand, they
are increasing awareness about the assistive technologies that can be used to check
overall patient’s health. It helps them with much greater effective method to identify the
entire health conditions on every patient.
As per discussion, it concludes that both external voluntary and statutory agencies support
individuals through significant life events. It also provides the better facilities and services
required.
Role of healthcare or care assistant in providing support to individuals
There are a lot of changes which take place in a patient who is pregnant and taking care
of them is difficult. There is a physical change and a mental change in the patient which is
going through the stages of pregnancy (Charlton and et.al., 2018). There are a frequent
mood change in the person who is pregnant which have to be controlled and if not then
they must get what they wish to have so that they do not have stress because that can
affect the baby. There is depressive, exhaustion, fatigue, excitement, anxiety and other
emotions all together in the person who is going through this stage.
Roles of healthcare or care assistant are very important and as follows:
Counselling
There is a lot of pressure on the women in pregnancy and having so many emotions at
one time can be very dangerous for which the healthcare has to be very certain as to the
patient should not go in depression (Huybrechts, Bateman and Hernández‐Díaz, 2019).
Page 8 of 19

16101
There are a lot of complexity which can come when there is a sign of
depression ,therefore it is very essential for me as healthcare assistant to counsel the
patient and talk to find out what they are feeling so that they can be solved/help on time.
Gentle
There must be gentle environment which the healthcare has to provide the patient with so
that they cannot harm themselves or anyhow. There are a lot of factors which can be
dangerous for individuals when they are going through difficulty with any kind of health
issues, as a health care assistant I need to provide a safety place to support my patient
e.g. day centres, therapy counselling.
Diet control
The diet must be healthy, and no unhealthy food is allowed during pregnancy which must
be controlled by the healthcare so that the baby can get the right nutrition which is
required by the baby. During pregnancy there are a lot of cravings which the pregnancy
creates which must be controlled and the healthcare will have to make sure that they are
followed.
Patience/communication
There are a lot of changes in patient that has unexpected significant life event therefore it
is very important as a healthcare assistant to have the right knowledge on how to
communicate dealing with the situation and have a lot of patience so that the patient can
be comfortable around me (Olander and et.al., 2018). There are a lot of tantrums which
the patient will have therefore it is very essential for the healthcare to be sure of how to
handle them in these kinds of situations to achieve a desired outcome.
Regular check ups
Healthcare assistants l must make sure that the patient is getting regular check-up for
themselves so that they can have a healthier health and they can take care of their own
health. For example the case of Joan there is a lot of harm in place, which she need
regular check-ups on mother when give birth therefore there are medicines which are
prescribed by the doctor so as to reduce harm on the foetus as healthcare assistants my
expected to take good care of this condition.
Page 9 of 19

16101
Relationship between organizational policies and practical support
There is great relationship between organizational policies and the practical support which
is available in health and care settings. For example, currently many health and care
organizations which specially works for women safety and security has formulated many
policies in women favour. In these policies, one policy is that if any woman is pregnant,
and she works in a company. In this situation, management of that organization is
responsible to take care of that woman in their workplace (Erens and et.al., 2017). Another
policy is, when that woman cross seven months of pregnancy, then her company needs to
offer leisure time for her. It is necessary for that pregnant woman, because in pregnancy
time a woman's body become very sensitive. In short, a social health care organization
can create a safe and secure zone for women by developing these policies.
On the other side, many health care organizations currently giving practical support also to
a pregnant woman. For example, organization's policy is to give leisure time to a pregnant
woman. In this case, many organizations, companies and businesses are giving leisure
time to a woman to relax in time of pregnancy. Currently many organizations have created
very supportive policies for pregnant women. In these policies they have made provision
for separate restroom to pregnant women, a nurse will be provided to that woman so she
can take care of her and give leisure time when needed or necessary. These are some
major practical support which many organizations have provided to a pregnant woman.
A pregnant woman feels very well when health care organizations provides this type of
positive treatment for her. When a health care organization make policies for welfare of
pregnant lady, that organization indirectly shows their high standard of humanity and care.
These policies are completely followed by people in different places. On the other side,
Tourism authority of the United Kingdom has presented a very favourable policy for
pregnant women. According to that policy, when pregnant woman travels in the public
transport. In this condition, other commuters are expected to make provision for
appropriate seat which had been earlier made available by the Transport for London (TFL)
this is often referred to as priority seats and no one except pregnant woman is allowed to
use these seats in that particular transport vehicle. Currently people in the United Kingdom
completely follow this policy in practical manner as well. This is a great initiative by the
tourism authority of this country (Cameron and et.al., 2016). In this case, people in this
Page 10 of 19

16101
country practically give support to pregnant woman in public transport. Many literate
people in the UK always try to provide a happy and healthy environment to pregnant
women in public places.
In the United Kingdom, many other policies are also developed by different health and
care organizations. The main aim of these policies is to give an excellent care
environment to women in their time of pregnancy. Women are very satisfied with these
favourable policies, and they have expressed gratitude and have suggested that other
organisations to practically practice these Policies in their day to day activities. These
policies which organization has developed in welfare of pregnant woman are symbol of
humanity and literacy. Each person is necessarily needed to follow these policies in
practical life to create happy and healthy environment for pregnant women.
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
The model blueprints the prerequisites that must be met so as to give patients a private
help. Record holders must educate patients regarding the expected utilization of their
data, give them the decision to give or retain their assent just as shielding their
recognizable data from ridiculous revelations. These procedures are between connected
and ought to be progressing to help the improvement of a confidential service.
Confidentiality policy is gotten from Data Protection Act 1998. This Act gives a structure
that oversees the preparing of data that recognizes living people – individual information in
Data Protection terms. Handling incorporates holding, acquiring, recording, utilizing and
revealing of data and the Act applies to all types of media, including paper and pictures. It
applies to classified patient data however is far more extensive in its degree, for example it
additionally covers work force records.
The Data Protection Act 1998 forces imperatives on the preparing of individual data
comparable to living people. It distinguishes eight information insurance rules that set out
norms for data taking care of. This Act gives a structure that oversees the preparing of
data that recognizes living people – personal data2 in Data Protection terms. Preparing
incorporates holding, getting, recording, utilizing and uncovering of data and the Act
applies to all types of media, including paper and pictures. It applies to private patient data
Page 11 of 19

16101
however is far more extensive in its degree, for example it additionally covers faculty
records.
Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA98)
Article 8 of the HRA98 sets up an option to 'regard for private and family life'. This
underscores the obligation to ensure the protection of people and safeguard the secrecy
of their wellbeing records. Current comprehension is that consistence with the Data
Protection Act 1998 and the customary law of secrecy ought to fulfill Human Rights
prerequisites.
Legislation generally must also be compatible with HRA98, so any proposition for putting
aside commitments of classification through legislation must:
a. seek after an authentic point;
b. be viewed as important in a popularity based society; and
c. be proportionate to the need.
WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY
This implies the detailing by representatives of suspected wrongdoing, illicit acts or
inability to act inside the Council.
The point of this Policy is to empower representatives and other people who have genuine
worries about any part of the Council's work to approach and voice those worries.
Workers are frequently the first to understand that there might be something truly wrong
inside the Council. 'Whistleblowing' is seen by the Council as a positive demonstration that
can make a significant commitment to the Council's effectiveness and long haul
achievement. It isn't backstabbing to associates or the Council to shout out. The Council is
focused on accomplishing the most noteworthy potential principles of administration and
the most elevated conceivable moral measures in open life and in the entirety of its
practices. To help accomplish these models it energizes the right to speak freely of
discourse.
The Policy is intended to guarantee that you can raise your interests about bad behavior
or negligence inside the Council unafraid of exploitation, consequent separation,
hindrance or excusal.
Page 12 of 19