3. Promoting and supporting individuals right to dignity, independence, choice and safety
4. Acknowledging people's personal beliefs and identities
5. Protecting individuals from abuse
6. Providing effective communication and relationships
7. Providing individualised care
Importance of care value base:
The care value base forms a code of conduct, or a professional code of ethics, for anyone working in a caring profession.
The care value base is important because towns and cities are becoming more , many laws now prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Any violation of the care value base or code of conduct may result in dismissals, lawsuits, and, in a case of an entire institution acting unethically, enforced closure. The care value base also helps the clients promote their rights by outlining what they expect from health care services.
The UKHCA Code of Practice provides guidelines to enable an organisation providing homecare to operate in such a way that:
- The highest standards of care are provided;
- The rights and welfare of service users are paramount;
- The rights and welfare of care workers are protected.
Regulation of private nursing homes:
Health Services Executives (HSE) keeps registers of approved nursing homes and these registers are available for inspection to the public. The Health Services Executive (HSE) carry out periodic inspections of nursing homes and the reports of such inspections are available under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.
Records - each Nursing Home must keep a register of all residents, setting out basic personal, medical and other details. All personal records must be treated with confidentiality and should be retained for not less than 5 years after the person ceases to live in the home. Residents should have access to personal records, subject to certain restrictions in limited cases.
Detailed requirements concerning minimum standards for nursing homes are set out in legislation. There is also a Code of Practice for Nursing Homes, which has been agreed by a group of people representing owners of nursing homes, Health Services Executive (HSE), the National Council on Ageing and Older People, carers and other people with experience in the care of older people. This Code is available from the Government Publications Office.
Expectations for a care home:
The expectations for care homes are:
- They should be given privacy,
- They should have the right for confidentiality,
- They should be able to choose what there lifestyle is like: (diet, hobbies, etc.),
- They should be given medical advice when needed,
- The residents should feel safe and comfortable,
- The staff should be respected and not have to deal with abusive behaviour,
