Role of Health and Social Care Professionals

Centre Name UK Professional Development Academy
Qualification Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Unit number and title HSC301 – An introduction to Health and Social Care
Assignment title
Role of health and social care professionals in protecting individual’s right and mechanism of reporting poor practices in health and social care. Working of Inter-professional and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
In this assignment you will be required to study about the role of health and social care professionals. In the first part of assignment, you will be able to understand the hierarchy of health and social care sector. You will be able to know the working of arm-length bodies. This assignment will demonstrate how you can report poor practices in health and care sphere. You will also understand the regulatory bodies that are responsible for maintaining quality standards. Furthermore, you will study about the regulatory bodies that manage the professions of health and social care, such as college and training centres. Then, in the second part of this assignment is related to inter-professional and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this assignment learners should:

  • LO1 Understand the roles of professionals in health and social care sector
  • LO2 Understand the roles of arm-length bodies
  • LO3 Understand how to report poor practice in healthcare sector
  • LO4 Understand the role of regulatory bodies in healthcare
  • LO5 Understand the difference between inter-professional and multidisciplinary healthcare teams
  • LO6 Understand the barrier to inter-professional healthcare teams
Part 1 – Roles of professional in health and social care setting and mechanism of reporting poor practice.
Scenario
You have newly joined health and social care sector as medical receptionist, your boss has assigned you with task to study the role pf professionals in health and social care sphere. He/she has also tasked you with responsibility to observe and report if there is any poor practice.

Answer

Task 1

Role of Healthcare Professionals in the Provision of Services

Healthcare professionals, including midwives, nurses, and carers, play crucial roles in the health and social care sector. Midwives provide comprehensive care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, ensuring the health and well-being of both mother and child. Nurses offer a broad range of services, from acute care in hospitals to community-based support, administering treatments, monitoring patient progress, and educating patients about their health (Taylor et al., 2024). Carers, often working in residential or domiciliary settings, assist individuals with daily activities, promote independence, and provide emotional support, contributing significantly to the overall quality of life for those they care for.

Empowering Individuals by Protecting Their Rights

Healthcare professionals can empower individuals and protect their rights through various practices:

  • Promoting Anti-Discriminatory Practices
    • Treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or lifestyle.
    • Focus on the unique needs and preferences of each individual, tailoring care to suit them.
    • Recognize and respect each person’s individuality, ensuring their care is personalized.
  • Encouraging Independence
    • Allow individuals to make informed choices about their lifestyle and care.
    • Facilitate access to community resources and support groups to foster social connections and support (Xu et al., 2024).
  • Empowering Individuals
    • Provide clear, accessible information to help individuals make informed decisions about their health and treatment options.
    • Support individuals in pursuing their goals and interests, enhancing their autonomy and quality of life (Lu et al., 2023).

Reporting Poor Practices

To: Emma Brandon
From: Lucas Taylor
Subject: Report on Unhygienic Healthcare Practices

Dear Emma,

I am writing to report concerning observations of poor hygienic practices at our local healthcare facility. During my recent shifts, I have noticed several instances that compromise patient safety and care standards.

  • The treatment rooms are not being cleaned regularly. I observed used medical supplies and waste not being disposed of promptly, leading to an accumulation of trash and potential infection risks.
  • Some staff members are neglecting proper handwashing protocols. I have seen instances where staff moved between patients without sanitizing their hands, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
  • There were several occasions where personal protective equipment (PPE) was either not worn correctly or not worn at all, particularly during patient interactions that required it.
  • Medications are not being stored according to guidelines. Some medications were left out of their designated storage areas, which could affect their efficacy and safety.

These practices not only violate health and safety regulations but also jeopardize the well-being of our patients and staff. Immediate corrective action is necessary to address these issues and ensure that our facility maintains the highest standards of hygiene and care.