Theories and Legislation Impacting Principles of Care in Healthcare

This essay delves into the principles of care within health and social care services, emphasizing their importance in guiding practitioners' behavior and ensuring equal treatment for all individuals. It highlights five basic principles: safety, privacy, dignity, communication, and independence. The essay explores relevant theories such as Behavioral and Psychodynamic theories, illustrating how they align with the principles of care. It further examines the impact of these principles on the rights of vulnerable people, referencing the Care Act 2014, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and Equality Act 2010. The essay also addresses issues faced by health and social care services, such as long waiting times, lack of skilled professionals, and control over treatment decisions, providing an example of how to resolve control-related issues. The analysis underscores the crucial role of legislation in protecting vulnerable individuals and promoting their well-being within the care system. Desklib provides access to this essay and many other resources for students.

PRINCIPLES OF CARE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
The principle of care is described as the way a social or health care would behave
towards the individuals in offering them care services. It is very important that every individual
should be treated equally by the health and social care services (van Galen and et.al., 2021).
Their are five basic principles of care which are Safety, privacy, dignity, communication and
independence. It is essential for every social and health care practitioner to keep these basic
principles on mind while offering their services. These are principles that guides the behaviours
of the practitioners in understanding the right and wrong. These support principles help the
health care services in understanding the treatments to be provides to its users, maintaining their
privacy and protecting them from any harmful activities. The present essay shows the different
theories in the social and health care services. It also identifies the issues faced in the social care
services.
MAIN BODY
It is provided that health and social care must at all times be guided by the principles of
support when offering services to the users. These principles includes interdependencies,
partnership, dignity, respect, privacy and individuality. Thus, it is expected while offering
services for caring for an individual, every health and social worker must respect the individuals
choices (Spencer and et.al., 2021). Because it affects the users in many ways and with treating
them with respect it will encourage their morale, self esteem , self worth and thus will improve
their well being. However, there are several theories that are used in the health and social care
services that highlight the importance of principle of care. The theories include:
Behavioural Theory
Behavioural theory explains how individuals actions are defined by their behaviours.
Also, it explains how the behaviours of the individuals are formed. In the health and social care
services, this theory helps in formulation of health behaviour among the users so that they can
improve their health outcome (Alqahtani and et.al., 2020). This theory highlights the principles
of care that is while analysing the behaviour of the individuals it treats every individual with
respect and dignity that is regardless of their conditions they are served with care so that it helps
in boosting their morale and confidence. Thus, it helps in enhancing their health and well being.
However, it very important for the social and the health care services to change the unhealthy

behaviours of the individuals like consumption of alcohol and cigarettes that may affect their
health conditions.
Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamic theory is a theory that explains how the individual personalities are
developed and how these personalities have effect on their lives. This theory assumes that
personalities and behaviours of individual are developed through unconscious forces which are
prevailing in the environment specially during childhood (Dolan and et.al., 2021). The theory
further argues that the adulthood personality and behaviour of an individual depends on the way
he was treated in childhood by the guardians and the parents. This theory plays a vital role in the
social and health care services as it helps them in analysing the root cause of the problems and
issues that are faced by the individuals such as emotional issues, alcoholism etc. However, the
theory of Psychodynamic follows and abides by the principle of care that is it respect the
choices, interdependencies and privacy of every individual. So that the individual can empower
themselves and make their own choices and may have a greater control of their life. On the other
hand, with the analysing the behaviours and personalities of the individuals it becomes easier for
the the social and health care practitioners in offering services to their patients in an effective
manner that do not harm the user and provide them with at most satisfaction and easy their
problems and provide them relief (Sangarlangkarn and Appelbaum, 2017).
Impact of principles of care on rights of vulnerable people
Vulnerable people have the right to dignity, choice, confidentiality and safety (Rights of
the individual, 2021). Principles of care affect the rights of vulnerable people in the following
manner. These provide description about the expected behavior of the health and social care as
well as early years providers towards individuals who are in care. As per these, the way in which
a care worker treats individuals should be same as he would like to be treated. Further, the care
providers are also expected to work in the best interests of the individual and strive to improve
the quality of life of such people (9 aspects, 2021).
The principles pertaining to anti - discrimination protects the rights of vulnerable people
against discrimination. According to it, the career cannot discriminate with them on any ground.
As per the principle of confidentiality, the carers are required to discuss confidential information
with other professional strictly for medical purposes and no other than that (Opara, 2018).
Therefore, it protects the right to confidentiality of the vulnerable people and allot them to trust

their care providers. Principle pertaining to choice protects the rights of vulnerable people by
providing them an opportunity to make choice regarding their treatment and care. It also requires
the carers to provide sufficient information to the people so as to enable them to make suitable
choices for themselves. The choices may range from deciding on a treatment option to making a
choice about the clothes to wear or the food they prefer to eat.
Dignity is concerned about providing respect to a person regarding his uniqueness and
personal needs. The principle of dignity protects the rights of vulnerable people by making the
carers support them in their self – respect. It also ensures that these people are able to enjoy their
privacy and prevents them from experiencing embarrassing situations. For example, while
dressing up an elderly person, the carer should ensure that the individual is comfortable. The
principles of care also protect the cultural and personal beliefs of vulnerable people while they
are being provided care. These principles require the carers to be positive about the life history of
the person their caring for (Opara, 2018). In this way, these principles assist in recognizing
vulnerable people as persons of worth as they are able to express their opinions and feelings.
Further, understanding cultural beliefs results in arrangements that prevent discrimination of
vulnerable people on the basis of cultural differences.
Therefore, principles of care ensure that the rights of vulnerable people are protected.
They aim to provide better care to the people and protect their dignity and self- respect. The
vulnerable people feel worthy as a person as they are able to make their own choices and receive
better treatment from their carers (Steinkopf and et.al., 2020).
However it can be analysed that there are various issue that are being faced by the health
and the social care services in providing efficient services to its users. That is one of the biggest
issue faced by the users in the care services is that waiting times. Due to less numbers of
healthcare and social care service centres (Gibson and et.al., 2021). The users have to wait long
time in queues before getting a treatments or services of care. And with the growing numbers in
the ageing population, it is very difficult from them to wait in long queues before getting the
services and treatment. On the other hand, another crucial problem faced by the health and social
care service providers is the lack of skilled and trained professional that is there is a deficiency in
the professional practitioners (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,
2018). Thus, it is very important that there is proper training and development of the

practitioners so that they can understand the needs and requirements of the users and provide
them with quality services and care.
In addition to that, the health and the social care service providers are facing issue in the
control of providing the services (Seely and Verma, 2019). That is one of the main issue in
control of the care and treatment is that the control of what services of care or treatment should
be provided to the user is in the hand of the service provider and nit the user themselves.
However, it is very important that this control is in the hand of the users so that they can decide
themselves what is good for them or not keeping their moral and beliefs at priority.
However, it can be seen from the example given how a social and health care practitioner
can solve problems faced in the control regarding issue of the patients. In the case where firstly
sam was fully dependent on the hospital for his meds after the death of his wife. That showed
that all the control was in the hands of the hospital and there was no autonomy given to the
patients. This led to control issues that is with all the control with the hospital Sam was very
dependent on the hospital. It resulted in that Sam had no power and stake in his hand and all the
decision were made by the hospital itself. Therefore, to solve the control issue and to make Sam
independent, the hospital came up with the idea of putting alarm by the bedside of Sam in his
house so that he can take his medicine on time without anyone's help. In turn this resulted in
making sam independent and provided him autonomy in his life. Thus to check on him a health
carer was sent every 2 weeks to examine and keep a check on the health of the patient. Thus, this
resulted in solving the control issue that were faced by the hospital in proving services to the
patients and the users.
Importance of legislation in the protection of vulnerable people
The Care Act 2014
This is a piece of legislation which provides legal framework for protection of vulnerable
people from abuse and neglect. This legislation sets out safeguarding duties for the local
authorities. According to the Act, the authorities need to lead a local adult safeguarding system
which not only prevents abuse and neglect but also ensures to take action the moment abuse
happens. The act also requires the local authorities to make enquiries when they suspect that a
vulnerable adult who is in care may be at risk of abuse and neglect (Liakos and et.al., 2021).
Further, a joint safeguarding strategy is developed and implemented by establishment of adult
safeguarding boards which include local authority, police and NHS. THE ACT ALSO ensures

provision of an independent advocate who provides support to the vulnerable person who is a
part of the safe guarding enquiry.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Regulation 13 is the main element that forms an important part in safeguarding adults in
his Act. As per this section, protection s provided to the adults who are in health and social care
service from all kinds of abuse. The act also provides provisions in situations when restraints are
being used incorrectly. The ac also aims to avoid harm as well as the risk of harm. This is
because it prevents those people from caring for vulnerable adults who are deemed to be
unsuitable to work in health care sector. Such people are prevented from gaining access to the
vulnerable adults (Brenner and et.al., 2018). Therefore, a legislative framework is provided by
this act for the people who work with vulnerable individual and children.
Mental Capacity Act 2005
As per this Act, support is provided to the vulnerable adults in making correct decisions
pertaining to their health. When a vulnerable adult is considered to lack the mental capacity, the
persona acting on behalf of him is required to act in their best interests. In this way, protection is
provided to those adults who lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions.
Equality Act 2010
As per this Act, one cannot discriminate against a person on grounds of age, disability,
gender, race etc. these characteristics are called as protected characteristics (What legislation
governs safeguarding?, 2020). Therefore, this act protects the vulnerable adults from direct as
well as indirect discrimination.
Human Right Act 1998
This act safeguards vulnerable Adults through 4 Article. As per article 2, it protects the
right to life. Article 3 provides the vulnerable adults with the right to freedom from treatment
which is inhumane and degrading (What legislation governs safeguarding?, 2020). In this way
the right to security and liberty is granted to these people by the Article 5. Further, article 8
guarantees vulnerable individuals their right to family life, private life and home life. The act
empowers the vulnerable persons to seek legal recourse if any of these rights are violated (Latif
and et.al., 2020).
The Children Act 1989

Children are considered as another group of vulnerable people as they are highly
dependent on others for meeting their basic needs. Moreover, children who are separated from
their parents are even more vulnerable as they may be exploited by others due to absence of their
parents (Marshall and Allegrante, 2017). The main aim of the Act is to allow children to be safe
and healthy in their environments.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay it can be concluded that there are various principle of care. It is
very important that every social and health care providers keeps in mind these principles while
offering their services. Because with the help of these principles that will be able to provide
quality services and care to its patients and users. Also, it can be concluded that there are various
theories that are used in the health and social care that helps them in providing better services to
the individuals. At the end, it can be summarised that there are various issues that are being faced
by the health and social care but with proper formulation of rules and regulation and legislation it
helps the social and health care service to overcome these problems and issues.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Alqahtani and et.al., 2020. Principles of care for patients with liver disease during the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: position statement of the Saudi
Association for the study of liver disease and transplantation. Annals of Saudi
medicine. 40(4). pp.273-280.
Brenner, M. and et.al., 2018. Principles for provision of integrated complex care for children
across the acute–community interface in Europe. The Lancet Child & Adolescent
Health. 2(11). pp.832-838.
Dolan and et.al., 2021. Principles of care for acquired hemophilia. European journal of
haematology. 106(6). pp.762-773.
Edmonstone, J., 2017. Action Learning in Health, Social and Community Care: Principles,
Practices and Resources. CRC Press.
Gibson and et.al., 2021. Clinical practice guidelines and principles of care for people with
dementia: a protocol for undertaking a Delphi technique to identify the
recommendations relevant to primary care nurses in the delivery of person-centred
dementia care. BMJ open. 11(5). p.e044843.
Latif, A. and et.al., 2020. Caring for palliative care patients at home: medicines management
principles and considerations. The Pharmaceutical Journal.
Liakos, N. and et.al., 2021. Potential for optimizing the perioperative care in robotic
prostatectomy patients by adoption of enhanced recovery after surgery
principles. Journal of Robotic Surgery. pp.1-5.
Marshall, M.G. and Allegrante, J.P., 2017. Achieving consensus on principles of good practice
for school health in independent schools: A delphi study. Journal of School
Health. 87(10). pp.732-742.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018. Models and strategies to
integrate palliative care principles into care for people with serious illness: proceedings
of a workshop.
Opara, F.N., 2018. Principles Of Good Practice: A Panacea For The Transformation And
Development Of Early Childhood Care Education. Journal Of Educational Foundations.
P.303.
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Sangarlangkarn, A., Avihingsanon, A. and Appelbaum, J.S., 2017. Application of geriatric
principles and care models in HIV and aging. HIV and aging. 42. pp.119-133.
Seely, D. and Verma, S., 2019. The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians principles
of care guidelines.
Spencer and et.al., 2021. Principles of Care for Young Adults With Co-Occurring Psychiatric
and Substance Use Disorders. Pediatrics. 147(Supplement 2). pp.229-239.
Steinkopf, H. and et.al., 2020. How do staff in residential care transform Trauma-Informed
principles into practice? A qualitative study from a Norwegian child welfare
context. Nordic Social Work Research. pp.1-15.
van Galen and et.al., 2021. European principles of care for women and girls with inherited
bleeding disorders. Haemophilia. 27(5). pp.837-847.
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What legislation governs safeguarding?. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
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