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Introduction

Child Health Care Challenges Anti-Discriminatory Practice In this a reflective essay the author will discuss the concept of anti-discriminatory practice as a contemporary issue in children's nursing, in particular disabilism. An observed incident from practice placement will be reflected upon to analysis the implications for personal and professional nursing development. Reflection on an experience has been developed as a learning tool in professional education in order to help promote the integration of theory into practice (Schon 1991). The author has chosen to use Gibbs model of reflection (1988) to analysis the situation. All names have been changed to ensure confidentiality in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Conduct, Section 5, (2004). Article 14 of The Human Rights Act 1998 states that everyone has the right to be free from discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, disability, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status. Discrimination within the nursing profession is explained by Moonie (2002) as a decision to deny one person or group the same rights as another. Neil Thompson (1997) proposes a model to understand the different levels on which discrimination and oppression operates - the personal, cultural, and structural model known as PCS analysis. The letter 'P' refers to the personal level, in the form of individual thoughts, actions and feelings and attitudes. ...read more.

Middle

Over an hour later, assuming Helen had already helped Chris, she was overheard telling one of the other nurse's at the station that Chris had been incontinent while in his wheelchair as she had forgotten to help him and that he was very upset and embarrassed. Every Disabled Child Matters (2006) states that every family with disabled children have the right to ordinary lives and should be fully included in society. Section 2.2 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct (2002) states that as a registered nurse 'you are personally accountable for ensuring that you promote and protect the interests and dignity of patients and clients, irrespective of gender, age, race, ability, sexuality, economic status, lifestyle, culture and religious or political beliefs. It was acknowledged by staff nurses that this incident should not have happened as Chris's physical needs should have been met. The Disability Discriminations Act part 3 is concerned with access to goods and services. The act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person in the standard of service which it provides to the disabled person or in the manner in which it provides a service to a disabled person. Helen's decision to put Chris in a cubicle and her attitude that he did not need immediate assistance to the toilet directly influenced the care Chris received. ...read more.

Conclusion

This highlighted the importance of empowering the patient by making choices, patient partnership, communication and advocacy when child is without parents. According to Kenyon, E (2003) Partnership in care is the ability to develop a relationship that co-exists to form a collaborative approach to care. Negative partnership consists of poor communication and poor negotiating skills. If Chris had have been in the ward bay communication would have been easier thus he would have been able to go to the toilet, promoting partnership. The RCN Children and Young People's Nursing Philosophy of Care (2003) states that nurse's caring for children should listen to young people providing a means for them to convey their opinions and feeling and using these to guide decisions about they way their care is delivered. As a registered nurse you have the responsibility of recognising each child as a unique individual whose best interest must be paramount, whilst considering their physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs as well as those of their family. As a student nurse this emphasises the importance of assessing the needs of a disabled child thoroughly as their needs may be more complex and care planning appropriately. This situation has given the student nurse the confidence to question why things are done as they are in practice placement and highlighted the importance and relevance of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct within nursing practice and how it protects client's dignity rights. ...read more.

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