HEALTH LAW AND POLICY

HEALTH LAW AND POLICY Assessment Two Introduction Being a patient under the care of a doctor is probably the only occasion where an individual unconditionally places their welfare in the hands of another. However, not everything goes according to plan - sometimes the unexpected happens and things go wrong. It is often assumed that complaints to some form of statutory Health Ombudsman are an effective mechanism not only to resolve individuals' complaints, but also to improve the overall quality of health care (Paterson, 2001). In this assignment I will discuss the laws and legislations that are relevant to Case 00HDC00835. Secondly, I will examine the impact of law and the accountability of Health Practitioners. Thirdly, I will investigate the legal issues raised from the complaints of the patient, and the patient's family. I will pay attention to some of the issues that frequently challenge the elderly population. I will also attempt to identify some policy considerations that are specific to this case. Finally, I will form my own opinion of whether decisions made by the Health and Disability Commissioner struck a fair equilibrium. Other comments will be raised for examination. Law and the Tensions that Arise The law of torts is defined as a "civil wrong". It is concerned with those situations where the conduct of one person causes harm to another (Todd, 1997).

  • Word count: 3105
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Restlessness and Agitation.

RESTLESSNESS AND AGITATION Restlessness and agitation are common in people with dementia. Cohen M et al(1986) attempted to define restlessness and agitation as " inappropriate verbal, vocal or motor activity associated by 29 behaviours including general reslessness, constant attention seeking, complaining, negativism, pacing and screaming. In my nursing placement I experienced a case of vascular dementia. The name of patient, the name of the ward and hospital should remain unmentioned in the essay in order to maintain confidentiality. Mr Hastie (not real name) an 80 years old man attracted my attention with his sudden periodic out bursts of anger and restlessness. At the time of these outbursts he used to pace round the ward, shouting abusive language at anyone who stood in his way, whether it was a member of staff or other patients. During these periodic outbursts he used to become very aggressive, show his fist to staff trying to stop him, try to lift any furniture around, i.e. TV, Piano, and Chairs. I was very curious as to why he behaved in the way he did. I observed him for a couple of days. I also read his case note, talked with his carers, which helped me to understand more about his physical and mental state. I found out that he had these sudden outbursts of anger and restlessness, when he was not busy and active. I also found out that his two daughters whom he

  • Word count: 1966
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Critically discuss the multiple meanings of the 'working environment' for workers, managers and service users. How can managers work to improve care environments?

Critically discuss the multiple meanings of the 'working environment' for workers, managers and service users. How can managers work to improve care environments? Introduction In writing this assignment I will answer both aspects of the question. I will identify that one's working environment can be another's living environment and the problems that may arise as a result of this. I will also work towards finding ways in which to improve on those problem areas. I will make good use of the course materials but I will also draw upon my own experiences within the workplace. Designing any building must be a large task but when that building has many, many different functions the task must become enormous. When a care environment is designed the designer must take into account so many issues, both from the perspective of those who may work there and those that may live there whilst also acknowledging visitors. During this assignment I can only hope to cover a small amount of these issues, those I do cover will be relevant to my workplace. (See Appendix One for a floor plan). Main Discussion In the children's home where I work the environment has three main uses: - It's a living environment, for the young people (currently all teenagers, 2 girls and 2 boys, there are also two vacancies). - It's a working environment, for the team of support staff, education staff, the care

  • Word count: 1974
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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How might you explain the existence of inequalities in health? In July 2000, 'the government gave a commitment in the NHS

How might you explain the existence of inequalities in health? In July 2000, 'the government gave a commitment in the NHS plan that, for the first time ever, local targets for reducing health inequalities would be reinforced by the creation of national health inequality targets' The overall aim by 2010 was to reduce inequalities in health outcomes by 10% as measured by infant mortality and life expectancy at birth. The strong correlation between occupational class and the mortality rate can be shown in every decinnial survey conducted. The following statistic is from the most recent survey in the early 1970's 'men and women in occupational class V had a two-and-a half greater chance of dying before reaching retirement age than their professional counterparts in occupational class I' (Black 1980) The Black Report published in 1980 'was an attempt authorised by a Government to explain trends in inequalities in heath' The report did show a general improvement in health amongst all classes, due to the beginning of the NHS, thirty-five years ago. But despite of the health improvements provided by the health service (for example vaccine's preventing infectious diseases), the unresolved difference in health between the classes was still at large. There is a connection between occupational classes and mortality throughout all ages, especially when looking

  • Word count: 2098
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Pharmacy practice research assignment

Pharmacy Practice Research Assignment The authors sought to establish whether the incorporation of a medicine review and education programme would result in improved patient medicine compliance and knowledge in the general practice setting for patients aged 65 years or older. The authors set out to achieve this by selectively acquiring patients from one general practice who were 65 years or older and taking three or more medicines. Patients were unable to participate if they lived in nursing or residential care homes, were unable to self-administer their medication or suffered from a terminal illness with a life expectancy less than one year. Patients were randomly allocated to a control or intervention group following sequential recruitment from a patient list. A clinical pharmacist was appointed as the investigator who visited both groups on three occasions. Successive reviews conducted have estimated that as much as 50% of older patients may not be taking their medicines as prescribed. This may be done intentionally due to concerns and beliefs patients have over their medication, unintentionally, or a combination of both. Numerous approaches were proposed from a previous study with the aim of improving patient medicine compliance. Such propositions have proved successful when adopted under a hospital-based self-medication scheme for hospital patients upon

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Assess the claim that the NHS is being privatised by stealth.

Assess the claim that the NHS is being privatised by stealth. The National Health Service was set up in 1948 to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, not the ability to pay. It is made up of a wide range of health professionals, support workers and organisations. The NHS claims to bring about the highest level of physical and mental health for all citizens, within the resources available. They claim to do this by, promoting health and preventing ill health; diagnosing and treating injury and disease; caring for those with a long-term illness and disability. The NHS is predominantly funded by taxation, and the level of GNP devoted to health care is the lowest of any comparable developed country at 6.7% of GDP (NHS Support Federation 1999). Because the NHS is funded by the taxpayer, it is accountable to Parliament. It is managed by Department of Health - which is directly responsible to the secretary of state for health John Reid. The department sets overall health policy in England, is the headquarters for the NHS and is responsible for putting policy into practice. It also sets targets for the NHS and monitors performance through its four directors of health and social care. The NHS is one of the largest employers in Europe. It has more than a million staff working in over a thousand Trusts. Around one million people work for the NHS in England and it costs

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Proffesional Studies

KERRY BROWNE 21683549 ACADEMIC TUTOR Moria Sugden INTAKE YEAR 2006 EBL GROUP PFX106 MODULE CODE NCPG1005 WORD COUNT 2410 SUMITTED 25/05/07 This essay will be looking at the three strands of Professional Studies, Evidence Based Practice (EBP), Philosophy of Care and Management of Care. It will discuss the factors which will help develop the promotion of EBP, showing why using these methods are better for the client to ensure it is appropriate to their individual needs. Roach's 5 C's will be discussed as to how relevant they are to nursing care is provided, looking mainly at spirituality and holism. In the closing part of this essay it will look at the different levels of care, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Care, while identifying systematic processes and legal frameworks which will control the management of care. Evidence based practice can have a range of meanings. Some authors highlight the role of research evidence in clinical decisions, making others have a much wider viewpoint that encompasses the view of both patients and clinicians in informing clinical decisions. Sackett et al (1996) describes it as: "The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patients". (Fitzpatrick 2007) Trinder and

  • Word count: 2691
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Management of risk and protection of vulnerable individuals in health and social care.

FOUNDATION DEGREE IN HEALTH AND SOCIALCARE PRINCIPALS OF CARE Management of risk and protection of vulnerable individuals in health and social care. INTRODUCTION This report is about the potential risk to an elderly person living alone, and the implementation of a risk assessment using a legal framework. Also those risks are assessed using the organisational policies and guidelines available to all care agencies to help protect and minimise risks which may be encountered by a vulnerable client group. The report also highlights the need for multi-disciplinary care agencies to uphold the importance of and implement principles of good care practice when considering the management of risks exposed to an individual and their differing needs within our society. THE DILEMMA Mrs B is an elderly lady who has been living alone within her own home. She has no relatives and has been adamant that she can care for herself. It is known that Mrs B has refused help in the past by various care services due to lack of trust and sees their involvement as an intrusion on her private life. Mrs B however. Unfortunately fell down her stairs and was admitted to hospital with a fractured femur, during a routine admission assessment of her care plan, it was observed and documented that Mrs B was considerably underweight and her clothing and general hygiene was unkempt. It was clear from this

  • Word count: 1467
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Ayurvedic Medicine Towards a Life in Balance.

Ayurvedic Medicine Towards a Life in Balance Eastern Religions and Culture PH112 Dr. Sandra Kahn Sr. Bridget Ellis, fsp August 12, 2002 . Introduction Ayurveda, an intricate system of healing that originated in India, is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. The word Ayurveda means "the Science of Life." It is made up of two Sanskrit words, Ayu, which means "life" and Veda, which means "the knowledge of." Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the "Mother of All Healing." A science of health, Ayurveda is not associated with any one religion in particular. Anyone can benefit from Ayurveda because it stresses the health of both mind and body and the needs of the soul. The principles of many of the natural healing systems now familiar in the West have their roots in Ayurveda, such as Homeopathy. What we see is that Ayurveda is more than just a medical system. We are all part and parcel of nature. Just as the animals and plants live in harmony with nature and utilize the Laws of Nature to create health and balance within their beings, we, too, adhere to these very same principles. Therefore, it is fair to say that Ayurveda is a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent principles of nature to bring the individual back into equilibrium with their true self. It is probably the

  • Word count: 3715
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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The Emergence and Acceptance of Podiatric Surgery.

The Emergence and Acceptance of Podiatric Surgery. This essay will examine the role of the podiatrist as a podiatric surgeon; it will look at how this role has evolved, consider the controversy, surrounding the developing role of the podiatric surgeon, how it can be solved and discuss the training necessary to reach this high level in podiatry. It will finish by assessing how this evolving role will affect the podiatrist working as an independent health care professional. The podiatric surgeon practices surgical treatment of the foot and its related structures. It is usually carried out as a day case procedure and often under local anaesthetic. These types of treatment are available in many NHS trusts as well as in private hospitals and clinics. A podiatric surgeon manages bone; joint and soft tissue disorders. These include operations such as a bunionectomy, following the painful enlargement of the joint of the big toe (Hallux Valgus), the removal of plantar corns, which cannot be resolved via conservative podiatry, the correction of hammer, mallet and claw toes, a deformity in the lesser toes usually caused by tendon or joint imbalance and many other treatments. Podiatric surgery is a new and growing speciality, it has developed following the document 'Feet First' which examined the results of the Department of Health/National Health Service Executive task force on foot

  • Word count: 1486
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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