Course: ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Unit 4
Working in Health and Social Care

Learner Name:
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plagiarised. It has not previously been submitted as part of any assessment for this
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assignment, have been referenced. I further confirm that I have read and understood LITC
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Table of Contents
Task 1
1.1 Define Person-Centered Practice
1.2 Analyze How Person-Centered Ways of Working Contribute to Continuity of Care
1.3 Describe the Role of Safeguarding and Protection in Person-Centered Practice
1.4 Explain the Benefits of Positive Risk Taking for Individuals Accessing Services
Task 2

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 2.1 Describe the role of communication in health and social care
2.2 Explain methods of communication used in health and social care
2.3 Identify barriers to communication in health and social care
2.4 Describe information handling and recording procedures
2.5 Explain the principles and practices relating to confidentiality in health and social care

Task 3
3.1 Explain the Cause and Spread of Infection
3.2 Explain the Importance of Preventing and Controlling the Spread of Infection
3.3 Explain How to Reduce the Spread of Infection
Task 4
4.1 Describe Different Working Relationships in Health and Social Care Settings
4.2 Explain the Role of an Advocate in Supporting Individuals Accessing Services
4.3 Explain Why It Is Important to Work in Partnership with Others
4.4 Evaluate the Role of Teams in Providing a Co-ordinated Approach to Service
Delivery
Task 5
5.1 Explain the purpose of care planning
5.2 Outline Roles and Responsibilities Involved in the Care Planning Process
5.3 describe how to ensure the individual is involved in all stages of care
Task 6
6.1 Describe Common Types of Medication and Their Effects and Potential Side Effects

6.2 Explain Different Routes of Medicine Administration

6.3 Describe How to Administer Medication Safely and in Line With Current Legislation
and Guidelines
6.4 Explain the Records to Be Completed for the Storage, Administration, and Disposal
of Medication
References

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Task 1
I want to work for a community health and social care agency in my area. To get ready for
the interview, I'm going to write some training materials about how people feel about the
person-centred approach, with a focus on how well it provides personalised care and services.
As part of my evaluation, I will also look at how person-centred approaches help care stay
consistent. In this framework, I will also talk about protection and safeguarding, as well as
how people who use health and social care can benefit from taking good risks.

1.1 Define Person-Centered Practice

The person-centred approach puts the client's needs, wants, and beliefs first when providing
care and support. The main goal is to treat clients as unique people, not just as people with
medical or care needs. This method recognises that each person is different and tailors
treatment to fit those differences. A person-centred care plan could include gardening if the
person with dementia likes it. This gives them what they need and respects their interests and
hobbies. Buckler (2022) says that a person-centred approach to safety and protection means
paying attention to the specific needs and experiences of each person. The goal of this
approach is to give everyone a safe and caring place to be.
A person-centred approach takes into account experiences, beliefs, and goals from the past,
the present, and the future in order to improve quality of life and respect. Care is kind and
respectful, and it is based on what the client wants. For clients' overall health, make sure they
feel welcome and understood by creating a friendly space.

1.2 Analyze How Person-Centered Ways of Working Contribute to

Continuity of Care
Person-centred techniques make sure that things stay the same by focussing on the wants,
needs, and goals of the client. Plus, you have to pay attention to the client and meet their
needs at the level of care they are currently receiving. In person-centred care, the care plan is
kept up to date with the most recent information about the patient during review sessions.
Keeping a full database of what clients need helps carers make sure that handoffs go
smoothly (McCormack & McCance, 2017). It gives the care team all the information they
need about the client to meet their needs. Care plans are looked at and changed frequently to
make sure that interventions work and to avoid breaks in therapy.

By monitoring outcomes continuously and adjusting care plans as needed, person-centered

care supports clients in achieving their health and well-being goals. This method not only
addresses immediate needs but also anticipates future requirements by allowing for ongoing
and effective patient care. For example, in the case of a degenerative illness, the care team
can track the progression of the disease and adjust interventions to ensure that the patient
remains as comfortable and independent as possible. This might involve integrating new pain
relief methods or enhancing support for daily activities.

Ultimately, person-centered care fosters an environment where clients feel valued and
understood, which contributes to their overall satisfaction and trust in the care they receive.
By ensuring that care is responsive to their changing needs and consistently delivered,
person-centered care significantly enhances continuity of care, leading to better health
outcomes and a higher quality of life for clients.
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Example: For a degenerative illness patient, I updated their treatment plan to reflect pain
medication and mobility aid advances. Thus, by monitoring findings and altering care plans
as needed, we were able to help our customers maintain a high quality of life and
independence. This met present and future needs, allowing them to provide ongoing and
effective patient care.

1.3 Describe the Role of Safeguarding and Protection in Person-Centered

Practice
Safety and well-being are the most important parts of person-centred care, especially in
health and social care. They fight for the rights, safety, and well-being of everyone, but
especially for people who are weak.
1. Individual Rights: The well-being and dignity of everyone are important. My community
care centre respects our clients' freedom and gives them the power to choose how they want
to be cared for. With person-centred care, each person's rights to match their values and
choices are respected.
2. Preventing Abuse and Harm: Physical, emotional, and financial abuse must be
prevented. My job emphasizes frequent exams and training to identify and respond to abuse
(Buckler, 2022). We uncovered a client being financially exploited by a family member
during a normal check and resolved it swiftly. The timely response protected her.
3. Prioritizing Safety and Well-Being: Safety enhances individual well-being. Prioritizing
individual well-being and safety promotes physical and mental health in our policies. Our
care center follows strict measures to prevent falls and injuries. They can live safely.

4. Empowering People with Information and Help: Safeguarding also requires

empowering people to make good decisions. My workplace values client empowerment and
well-being. We teach them their rights and resources to participate in care decisions.

5. Customized Care and Support: Safeguarding ensures personalized care. Individualized

monitoring or help for vulnerable people may be needed (Buckler, 2022). For a mobility-
impaired client, we added check-ins and changed activities to protect her safety.
1.4 Explain the Benefits of Positive Risk Taking for Individuals Accessing Services
In health and social care, "taking positive risks" means trying new ways to help people get
better and recover. Person-centred strategies encourage taking risks in a healthy way, which
has many benefits, such as
Giving people the power to make decisions that improve their lives gives them autonomy and
personal empowerment. This encourages initiative and good character. As a health care
worker, I appreciate efforts that give patients control over their time and choices.
Second, positive risk-taking enhances adaptability by exposing people to new difficulties.
This experience will improve their creative thinking and problem-solving skills, which are
crucial for flourishing in a changing environment. For instance, fresh experiences and
socialising improve life's uncertainties manageability.

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Constructive risk-taking improves life quality by creating new opportunities for self-
improvement and delight. Trying new hobbies, deepening relationships, and setting personal
goals can improve health, happiness, and meaning.
More importantly, it improves decision-making by forcing critical thinking about risks and
consequences. After this procedure, they can handle complex issues and make informed
decisions. Professional development courses can boost your job prospects and decision-
making.
Finally, taking reasonable risks makes people deal with their worries and problems, which
makes them stronger and more confident. This process makes a person stronger and more
confident, which makes them better able to handle problems.

Task 2
I am going to look at the ways that service users and staff at The Royal Marsden Hospital talk
to each other. A report about how to use effective communication in health and social care
setting; in this report, I will look at various communication methods, rate how well they
work, and suggest ways to make them better:
2.1 Describe the role of communication in health and social care
Communication is the key to providing appropriate and caring health and social care services.
Here are five important communication roles in this setting.
Information Exchange: Healthcare providers and patients can share information with each
other and with the healthcare team through communication. This conversation is very
important for making smart choices and making sure that care is well-coordinated and
effective.
Building Relationships: Communication is key to developing trust and empathy between the
caregiver and the service user. Part of this relationship building would lead to an extension of
the therapeutic relationship, making the patients feel they are understood and valued.
Education and Awareness: Healthcare providers use communication to educate patients and
families about health conditions, treatment plans, and necessary lifestyle changes. This
education empowers patients to take an active role in managing their health.
Compliance and Safety: Effective communication allows patients to understand and comply
with treatment plans, and it is the way to safety and well-being. Clear instructions and
explanations minimize miscommunication and reduce errors, promoting better health. Team
Coordination and Management: Communication is the key in health and social care
settings to coordinate team activities, manage tasks, and align them in the right direction of
care objectives. This helps provide smooth and effective services to patients with seamless
care.

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2.2 Explain methods of communication used in health and social care
To provide useful, patient-centered services in health and social care, people must be able to
communicate clearly. So, at The Royal Marsden Hospital, there will be clear ways of
communicating used to make sure that information is shared clearly and effectively. Here are
five important ways of communicating that are used in this situation:
1. Verbal Communication: It's talking to send messages, so it's very important for
consultations, counselling, and everyday interactions between staff and patients. This mode
can quickly get feedback and more information when needed, which is why it's useful in a
healthcare setting. During a consultation, for example, a doctor will talk to a patient about his
treatment options to make sure he understands them and can make an informed choice.
2. Non-Verbal Communication: Non-verbal interaction includes body expressions, facial
expressions, eye contact, gestures, and posture. It is sometimes these things that speak more
than words, especially during very sensitive or emotional occasions. For instance, a
compassionate expression on a nurse's face before performing anything—and an
understanding ear while listening—may alleviate most of the stress a patient is undergoing
during a procedure and make them feel better and understand.
3. Written Communication: Written communication comes in the form of emails, reports,
case notes, care plans, and written instructions. This creates a record to which reference could
be made at some future date -- an important constitutive measure in the continuum of care.
For instance, an operative report by a surgeon allows for details on the post-operative course
of a patient, thus keeping all concerned health professionals adequately informed about a
patient's needs and recovery plan.
4. Electronic Communication: Electronic communication involves email, electronic health
record systems, and other unique healthcare software systems that aid in the exchange of
information among various healthcare providers. This very fast method proves effective for
perfect coordination and continuity of care. For example, EHRs will make it possible for all
actors to view and store up-to-date information concerning a patient.
5. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices: They aid non-verbal
individuals in expressing their thoughts and feelings and even help them convey their needs
through devices as simple as picture communication boards or good enough to be as complex
as computer systems producing speech. For instance, a computer-based AAC device would
make a patient who has severe speech impairments able to communicate his needs and
preferences to the healthcare team so they can be treated appropriately and accordingly.

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2.3 Identify barriers to communication in health and social care
In health and social care settings, poor care is caused by problems with communication. So,
different ways of applying should help get around these problems so that there is a good way
to communicate. These are five major problems and how they could be solved using the
methods talked about in 2.2:
Communication Barriers: This can happen if the patient speaks a dialect that makes it
impossible for them to understand what is being said. Using an electronic tool for
communication, like a translator app or a diagram, might get around this problem and help
people understand the message better. For instance, I once had to explain surgery to a patient
who didn't speak English. I used a translation app to help him understand what I was talking
about, so he felt pretty good about moving forward.
Hearing Difficulties: An inability or difficulty to hear can affect a patient's ability to receive
and hear verbal instructions or discussions. This can be facilitated through sign language –
BSL or ASL - which is an augmentative alternative communication device designed for
communicating with clients who are hard of hearing. For instance, I used written
communication to engage a patient hard of hearing to ensure she heard and understood all
vital information.
Visual Impairments: This is impossible for any kind of visual cue or written communication
in the cases of patients who are blind or have low vision. In this regard, Braille could
represent written documentation, while augmentative communication devices with auditory
output would substitute written communication. Verbal communication and electronics can
ensure accessibility with screen reader compatibility.
Physical Barriers: Geographical distance, bad acoustics, and physical barriers in the
environment may be barriers to effective communication. This can be ensured by improving
verbal communication by using microphones or other audio enhancers in big halls and
reducing the physical barriers by making space more accessible. How Non-verbal
communication may also overcome the gaps in a physical setup.
Psychological Barriers: A person's potential for effective communication can be reduced
because of feelings of anxiety or depression or by cognitive impairment. Address this by
utilizing therapeutic communication techniques to engender trust and encourage expression
and active listening in conjunction with empathetic responses. This will help enable the
sender to use verbal and non-verbal cues in creating an atmosphere designed to reduce the
pressure quotient from a psychological point of view (Arnold & Boggs, 2020).

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2.4 Describe information handling and recording procedures
People who work in health and social care can be sure that personal and medical data is safe,
correct, and kept private by following these steps when handling and writing down
information. What are the most important things that The Royal Marsden Hospital does to
keep records and handle information?
1. Data Collection: The Royal Marsden Hospital only gathers information about patients that
is needed for their care and treatment. This includes personal information, case history,
treatment records, billing information, and other similar types of information. We get clear
permission from the patient or their legal representative before we collect, use, and share
personal information. When a patient comes in, I tell them what these data are used for and
get their permission, so it is based on principle and agreement.
2. Data Storage: We use encryption, secure servers, and limited access controls to keep data
safe from people who aren't supposed to see it, change it, lose it, or delete it. Throughout the
life cycle, this will ensure integrity by regularly updating and checking data to make sure it is
correct and makes sense.
3. Data access: Further safeguards ensure access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
for employees for legitimate professional purposes by managing the same through various
role-based mechanisms of access control. Audit trails record a history of every access
instance and modification performed on the data. This will create a history of handling the
data that could be used to follow security and compliance entitlements. For instance, I am
given secure and secret login details to ensure that only the authorized personnel can log in
and have access to sensitive information related to patients.
4. Data Sharing: Personal data shall be shared with third-party organizations only where
bound by secrecy and, if need be, for care purposes. Compliance is ensured in giving out
information to meet the legal requirements on privacy and patient rights. This functionality
ensures patient information is handled responsibly and securely throughout its lifecycle.
2.5 Explain the principles and practices relating to confidentiality in health
and social care
People in the UK who get social or health care are asked to keep their privacy safe. It means
that patients and health professionals must always trust each other very much. People will not
see, use, or share personal information without permission as long as this rule is followed.
This is the right thing to do from a legal, moral, and professional privacy point of view.
Principles of Confidentiality
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1. Respect for Privacy: Because everyone has the right to privacy, they should know that
any health information they give will not be given to anyone else. Everything we learn about
patients and their health at The Royal Marsden stays secret.
2. Trust: Maintaining confidentiality is essential in sustaining trust and, therefore, open
communication, which is critical to healthcare and effective treatment. Part of the ways
through which trust accomplishes this is allowing patients to share important health details
that would not only enable better diagnosis but equally lead to effective treatment.
3. Ethical Duty: These codes of ethics, where health professionals are ethically bound with
regard to patient confidentiality, formulae can be found in documents such as those put
forward by the General Medical Council. At The Royal Marsden Hospital, we follow this
ethical practice to help our staff appreciate the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
4. Legal duties: UK laws, specifically the Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR set out
what should be done to protect personal data. This means a proper legal framework for our
practices and penalties if we break confidentiality. Compliance with them, therefore, is the
assurance that our practices are legally sound and the rights of our patients are protected.
Practices Relating to Confidentiality
1. Sharing Information on a Need-to-K Talk about health and social care information only
with people who are directly treating and caring for the patient. While The Royal Marsden
Hospital is sharing information with third parties, like specialists or consultants, we make
sure that they follow the institution's rules for privacy and make sure that the information
stays private. For example, I always make sure it's necessary before telling other health
professionals about information that is relevant to a patient.
2. Ensuring Safety of Information: Keep patient records and documents physically and
electronically safe in locked cabinets for physical records or through encrypted digital storage
solutions. Send sensitive information to patients using appropriate secure ways of
communication: through encrypted emails or a secure patient portal. I update my knowledge
of these practices at regular intervals because compliance is necessary.
3. Patient Consent: Seek informed consent before collecting, using, or disclosing patients'
information; advise patients on uses of data and related rights. Respect patients' decisions to
withhold consent to disclose personal information where there are no overwhelming health or
Safety Concerns. For instance, I make sure to inform my patients about how their data will be
used and also seek their consent.

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4. Retention and Disposal of Data: Personal data shall be kept only for as long as the
purpose for which it was collected allows under the law and other bylaws. Upon its
obsolescence, the proper steps in the disposal of this datum shall be effectively carried out
through several methods, such as shredding of hard copies and erasure of digital files under
secure conditions.

Task 3

Scenario: This guide was made after a recent training session with the staff of the Brierley
Hill Health and Social Care Centre (BH HSC). Its goal is to explain how infections spread.
Understanding these processes is important because they affect how hospitals prevent and
control infections.

3.1 Explain the Cause and Spread of Infection

Knowing how infections happen and get from one person to another is a very important part
of keeping them under control in health and child care facilities. To make sure the right steps
are taken, it is important to know the different types of infections and how they spread.

Causes of Infection

Bacteria: These are single-celled organisms that are microscopic, and can be found living in
such places as soil or water. However, the existence of pathogenic bacteria is also notable as
they cause severe diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis. In my practice, I have come
across patients who have bacterial infections of different types.

Viruses: Weaker and tinier than bacteria, viruses can only reproduce inside the host cell.
They are known to cause various diseases, from the flu to more complex ones such as
HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and others.

Parasites: These organisms are found on or inside another organism, where they obtain their
benefits by harming the host in the process. Malaria and giardiasis are two of the most
prevalent parasitic diseases.

Spread of Infection

Direct Contact: Some of the pathogens are transmitted through touch, such as holding hands,
hugging, kissing, or having any sexual contact with the affected individual. Some diseases
caused by contact include the flu and the common cold.

Droplet Transmission: This method of transmission entails diffusion of pathogenic

organisms suspended in droplets released from the respiratory tracts during coughing or
sneezing by an infected individual. Infections like flu and COVID-19 are some of the
examples of diseases that can be transmitted through contact.

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Vector-Borne Transmission: Infectious diseases may be transmitted through vectors like
Mosquitoes or Ticks that can spread the disease from one host to another. These vectors are
involved in diseases such as malaria and Lyme disease, among others.

By being aware of these factors, health and social care workers can stop infections from
spreading and starting in care facilities.

3.2 Explain the Importance of Preventing and Controlling the Spread of

Infection

Reducing the spread of contagious diseases in communities and healthcare facilities is

important for infection control. It also helps protect and promote public health, keep
healthcare facilities' resources in good shape, and deal with problems like antibiotic
resistance.

Preventing Illness and Death: The general aim of infection prevention and control is to
lower the incidence of diseases that can be transmitted from one person to another and which
may lead to severe health consequences or deaths. Measures to prevent the spread of
infection are effective in breaking links in the transmission chain, thus reducing the
prevalence of the disease in the population.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Some of the most vulnerable people include the elderly
and those with weak immune systems who are easily affected by infections. These measures
reduce the risks of such patients getting infected with life threatening diseases since the
hospital has put in place measures to prevent the spread of diseases.

Reducing Healthcare Costs: Complication due to infection can therefore lead to longer stay
in hospital, and may require more elaborate and costly procedures. Reducing the risks of
infection means that hospitals and other healthcare facilities stand to save a lot of money and
thus reduce the overall cost of healthcare significantly.

Maintaining Healthcare Services: Hospitals and other health facilities may be congested
during epidemic, which may limit their capacity to address other health problems. Measures
for infection prevention and control mean that healthcare services can run uninterrupted as
they are able to minimize disruptions.

Preventing Antibiotic Resistance: Repeated infections cause the use of antibiotics, which in
turn cause the formation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Since the rate of infections is
lowered, the intake of antibiotics also decreases, thus, slowing down the increase of antibiotic
resistance.

By paying attention to these important points, infection control programs not only help
protect people's health, but they also help keep healthcare delivery systems stable.

3.3 Explain How to Reduce the Spread of Infection

The goal of infection control measures is to stop infections before they happen. This helps
protect the health of both the individual and the community through things like washing
hands, wearing protective clothing, and keeping the environment clean.
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Hand Hygiene: Washing of hands with soap and water is one of the most basic ways of
preventing disease causing organisms from affecting the body. I always employ this practice,
particularly prior to meals, after using the washroom or when hands are dirty. In cases where
soap and water are not available I use a hand sanitizer that is based on alcohol. This simple
action is important in avoiding the spread of germs.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): So, using PPE correctly, like gloves, masks,
gowns, and eye protection, in healthcare settings and other similar places is very important
for stopping the spread of disease. I know that the right way to put on and take off PPE is
important for its function and that I am familiar with these steps.

Respiratory Hygiene: Even though the general public is aware that sneezing and coughing
spreads diseases, it is not often realized that simple gestures like using a tissue to cover the
mouth and nose could save lives. If tissues are not available, I suggest that one cover the
mouth while coughing or sneezing to the elbow to prevent soiling the hands.

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection: This entails washing and disinfecting objects
that are commonly touched like doorknobs, switches, and countertops on a regular basis to
minimize contamination. I ensure that these cleaning practices are complied to the letter,
given the fact that such areas are highly vulnerable to the spread of the virus.

Vaccination: One of the best ways to lower the risk of getting many contagious diseases is to
follow the vaccination schedule set by your country's government. In the health sector,
vaccinations are one of the most important ways to stop outbreaks and are one of the main
lines of defence.

As a result, if these habits are followed, the number of these diseases will go down
significantly, and people will be healthier overall.

Task 4
I deal with home care for people for Helping Hands Home Care. Right now I'm doing the
reviews and analyses. This report will be about the ways that partners work together in a
home care setting called Helping Hands Care Home. More research will be done on the
different types of working relationships in the firm, the role of advocates in helping the client,
the significance of partnerships, and how teamwork impacts the delivery of coordinated
services.
4.1 Describe Different Working Relationships in Health and Social Care
Settings
The nature and quality of working relationships have a big impact on how well and how
efficiently care is provided in health and social care settings. This list shows the different
ways that people at Helping Hands Home Care work together:

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1. Health care workers and carers: There are carers, home care assistants, and nurses who
work directly with clients and provide daily care and specialised services. Their jobs require
them to be hands-on, which means they have to really understand the needs of the people
they are responsible for. Health professionals, like doctors and specialist nurses, provide
medical care, write prescriptions for treatments, and make plans for overall health
management. I often work with nurses to make sure that our clients get all the care they need.
2. Service Users: All working relationships in health and social care revolve around service
users. Interactions between service users and care providers form part of the basis through
which one comes up with care plans and ascertains that services offered align with individual
needs and preferences. I engage with clients regularly to understand their needs and tailor
care plans according to their choice.
3. Family Members/Informal Caregivers: Families and informal carers often have
significant knowledge of the service user's history, preferences, and needs. The emotional
support they provide, sometimes even decision-making and help with day-to-day caring for a
service user, is immeasurable. Their participation would facilitate devising holistic care that
would consider the service user's wishes and life outside the setting. By maintaining open
communication, I keep families informed and involved in care.
4. Social workers and care coordinators: Social workers and care coordinators help
navigate the complex needs of service users, including arranging for additional services,
liaising with community resources, and supporting transitions between care settings. They
play a pivotal role in case management and advocating for the service user’s needs within the
broader health and social care system. I work closely with social workers to ensure our clients
receive all the necessary support and resources.
4.2 Explain the Role of an Advocate in Supporting Individuals Accessing
Services
In health and social care settings, the advocacy role helps people get to and use services. So,
someone who helps another person make sure their rights are respected and their voice is
heard in important situations where it might not be heard or fully understood otherwise is
called an advocate. The most important parts of the advocate's job at Helping Hands Home
Care are outlined below:
1.The Voice and the Representation: Advocates look out for people who have trouble
expressing their needs or understanding their rights because they are disabled, sick, or
vulnerable. They speak for the service user in any setting, like meetings to plan treatment or
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reviews of care, to make sure that their choices and opinions are taken into account. For
example, I have fought for a client whose dexterity is very limited so that his home care plan
could include those special needs.
2. Promoting Independence: Advocates also work to empower these individuals through the
promotion of independence. This means standing with the individual whenever possible,
allowing them to make their own informed decisions, and encouraging the development of
self-advocacy skills. An advocate will offer all the necessary information and support needed
to assist individuals in coming to an understanding regarding the available options and what
potential consequences.
3. Providing for Inclusion: Advocates help to ensure that a person is treated equally when
any decision is made concerning their life. This is more relevant in the health and social care
settings where decisions are made about treatment options, living options, and other daily
activities. Their support in terms of involvement provides people with the feeling of being
valuable and ensures services are tailored to individual needs.
4. Legal Support: They may also occasionally support individuals on legal matters or refer
them to the appropriate legal resources to help them deal with the maze of health and social
care laws and benefits. I have referred clients to legal advocates to ensure they receive the
necessary help understanding and accessing their rights.
4.3 Explain Why It Is Important to Work in Partnership with Others
People who work together to improve quality and efficiency in health and social care settings
include healthcare professionals, people who receive care, their families, and outside
organisations. Here are five reasons why you should work with Helping Hands Home Care:
1.Complete and Holistic Care: Partnerships make it possible for people with different skills
and points of view to be involved in planning and delivering care. So, planning and giving
care in a more whole way will make sure that all of a service user's health, social, emotional,
and practical needs are met. Helping Hands Home Care has been able to provide full care for
their clients thanks to their partnerships with other healthcare professionals and community
groups.
2. Resource Optimization: Much inefficient use of resources is most of the time realized in
collaborative partnerships where resources are often pooled out. Through the pooling of
resources, financial, human, or information, the organizations tend to extend capabilities in
provisions of improved services without duplication of unnecessarily needed efforts. For
instance, we need to create partnerships with local providers of health care for the

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achievement of the maximum optimization of resources and improvement of care delivery
maximization.
3. Improved Communication: The success of partnerships largely depends on open lines of
coordinated communication among all parties involved. This ensures that there is timely,
accurate information sharing and, therefore, plays an integral role in coordinated care and
making informed decisions. Constant communication with families and health providers will
keep everyone knowledgeable and part of the intervention process.
4. Better Coordination of Service: Coordinated services work most smoothly when the
partnering organizations contribute combined efforts. Coordination is very much needed in
the provision of smooth services, especially for service users who have multiple issues about
their services. It creates an enhanced management transition between the services offered,
e.g., from a hospital scenario to home care. At a time of Helping Hands Home Care, we work
closely with the hospitals to ensure continuous flow to our customers.
5. Favorable health outcomes: The aim of any health and social care provision, ultimately,
is to achieve this maximum health. They ensure better health outcomes through partnerships
that permit care to be honest and uncompromising, user-centered, continuous, and
comprehensive. Our linkages with health centers enable us to ensure better health outcomes
for the clients under a well-integrated, personified care plan geared towards the wholesome
betterment of the client's life.
4.4 Evaluate the Role of Teams in Providing a Co-ordinated Approach to
Service Delivery
In health and social care settings, teams are an essential part of making sure that services are
integrated and run smoothly. A multidisciplinary team is made up of doctors, nurses,
therapists, social workers, and office workers who all work in health care. This is a list of the
pros and cons of team-based approaches that lead to equitable decisions:
Key Pros of Team-Based Service Delivery
1. Comprehensive Care: Teams of professionals working together provide unique views
from each of the contributing disciplines, assuring more comprehensive and holistic care
plans based on the individual needs of the service user. Our multidisciplinary approach here
at Helping Hands Home Care means meeting our client's needs, from medical care to
emotional support. For example, a patient recovering from a stroke benefits from the input of
physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and social workers, ensuring that medical,
mobility, and social needs are all addressed (Nancarrow et al., 2013).
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2. Higher Efficiency: This may result in improved efficiency in service delivery, for tasks
will be delegated to members in line with their expertise, reducing duplication of effort and
optimizing the use of resources. Indeed, I have seen how our team's coordinated efforts can
simplify care processes, assuring timely and efficient service delivery to clients.
Cons of Team-Based Service Delivery
1. Communication Breakdown: Communication failures are some of the biggest problems
common to team-based approaches, especially in very big or numerous and very diverse sets
of teams. Poor communication will result very quickly in misunderstandings that bring with
them errors in patient care. There have been many times when missed appointments, or
incomplete care plans could be traced to a breakdown between health professionals due to
failure to communicate appropriately.
2. Slower Decisions: This, at times, leads to a slow pace of decision-making since the
members have to reach a consensus; this may sometimes be at the expense of a critical
intervention or vital administrative decision. I have found that I have encountered situations
where obtaining agreements from all team members delayed pertinent decisions that impact
client care.
Evaluation
Teams in health and social care settings often have trouble communicating and waste time
because decisions are taken too slowly, but the pros usually outweigh the cons. The benefits
that service users get from getting comprehensive care from well-organised teams, like being
able to solve problems more quickly and more effectively, are much greater than the possible
downsides. Good teams will also make the workplace a good place to be; this is important for
keeping the quality of care high. On some occasions, teams have helped Helping Hands
Home Care provide services more efficiently by working together, but on other occasions,
their roles have been hard to master. If you want to get the most out of these benefits while
minimising the downsides, you need strong leadership, ongoing training, and good
communication strategies.

Task 5
Scenario:
My coworkers and I make care plans for each patient at Elizabeth Lodge Care Home. I'm
making a short information leaflet to serve as a guide. It will help us plan the steps and keep
our attention on each one.

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 A short information leaflet

5.1 Explain the purpose of care planning

With all of these tests, the healthcare provider and the patient can make a full plan that should
be followed according to the patient's specific needs. The healthcare provider can also get a
better idea of the patient's life experiences to make better interventions. This is what care
planning is for.
Meeting Specific Needs: The main goal of care planning is to meet the unique and specific
needs and wants of the person who needs help. These include medical, social, psychological,
and emotional skills that are specific to the person who needs help. Margaret, who is 85 years
old, used to sing opera. She is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, but she can still feel
music. As part of her care plan, our activity coordinator, Siri, takes her to music therapy to
help her remember things and have fun.
Facilitating Decision Making: This makes care planning relevant and useful as it aids both
the patient and the healthcare provider in decision-making processes. When it is done by the
healthcare professions, having a well-articulated care plan, the patient and the family will be
able to understand the available choices they can make about their care. Arthur (92) is
identified as having heart failure. His care plan requires a family conference involving the
social worker, David, aiming at making a mutual decision with due consideration to the
client’s principles and desires.
Promoting Inclusion: Nursing care planning also enhances client involvement with the
process of care. Whenever patient care concerns are discussed with the patient it helps the
providers to respect the patient’s contribution by taking into consideration the patient’s
values, preferences and cultural beliefs. Helen (72) has a major chronic condition of arthritis
limiting her mobility, but she loves to be with people. Her care plan also involves helping her
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to create a detailed care plan for a patient, identifying what a care assistant, Michael, should
do to help this patient maintain her social interactions and conformity with the groups formed
within the Elizabeth Lodge community.
Coordinating Services: Inter-professional care coordination depends on comprehensive and
realistic care planning that encompasses multiple care settings. This coordination assists in
reducing the longitudinal care delivery gap and avoids duplication of services to the patient
thus ensuring the patient is provided with all the comprehensive care needs in an integrated
manner. Jade is seventy-eight years old and she is a diabetic patient who needs blood sugar
level check-ups and medications. Regarding patient safety, his care plan promotes congruent
and coordinated relationships between nurses such as Mary and a visiting podiatrist to avoid
complications that are related to diabetes in the patient’s feet.
Legal and Ethical Compliance: This means that care planning helps to avoid working in
breach of the law and the ethical considerations in health care. The nurses must understand
that more detailed papers formed legal care plans assist in following the regulations and legal
guidelines that uphold the care of the patients. Residents with dementia are still living in the
home Emilia (65 years), may require help in making decisions. Emily’s care plan means her
agency and her rights are protected as legal documents guiding her treatment and care are
observed.
5.2 Outline Roles and Responsibilities Involved in the Care Planning
Process
Medical professionals, social workers, care managers, patient advocates, and chemists must
all be involved in planning the patient's care because it is unique to each patient.
Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, registered nurses, and other practitioners in
physiotherapy, occupational therapy or other specialisms providing care to the patient
identify their healthcare requirements, draw care and intervention plans, and then evaluate the
response. To attend to John’s pathological condition of the heart, resident physician Dr. Lee
takes note of it and with the help of the care team they design the treatment plan in light of
John’s medical history and his choice.
Social Workers: They evaluate the patient’s social and psychological needs and supply the
required support and what is needed as regards different communities. Social worker David
invites resident Arthur’s family for a conference to determine Arthur’s needs regarding social
interactions and emotional well-being after his diagnosis.
Care Coordinators: They are responsible for managing and overseeing the implementation
of the care plan to make sure that the services are provided on time. These include setting up
appointments, coordinating the work of multiple carers, keeping an eye on the patient's
progress, and dealing with problems that come up during care. Lisa is a care coordinator who
helps the nursing staff get Margaret ready to go from the hospital to her resident home by
setting up the services and equipment she will need.
Advocates: Advocates ensure that patients' voices are heard, their rights are protected, and
they have access to the necessary information to make informed decisions about their care
(NICE, 2022). This has several benefits, and the main among them is the ability of advocates
to ensure that they speak for the patient and also protect the legal rights of the patient. They
assist the patient and the patient’s family to know the choices open to them and participate in
or take over the patient’s care conferences and court disputes. In the case of resident Helen,
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she is a partially confined and bedridden individual who observes her lack of activity with the
group. Helen has her advocate, Michael and he discusses with the activity coordinator to find
out activities which Helen can enjoy and feel that she is part of the group.
Pharmacists: They offer specialized medication nursing knowledge in the appraisal and
administration of medication to determine if it is safe and effective. A pharmacist enlists
patients in the need to take their medications, ensures patient compliance and works with
other doctors to enhance patient drug therapy plans. Pharmacist Sarah goes over the resident
Emily’s medicines does not contradict them, and offers education to both Emily and the
nursing staff regarding guided medication usage.
5.3 describe how to ensure the individual is involved in all stages of care
To make person-centred care easier to give, care activities that keep the person involved in all
eight stages of care can be used. Here are some ways to approach each stage to encourage
people to get involved and participate:
Initial Consultation and Assessment: Initially, health care should take time and conduct a
conversation with the particular person to identify the needs, desires, and objectives of an
individual. This includes listening to what the patient says and engaging them concerning
earning their trust. Thus, educating and inspiring people to voice their ideas, doubts, and
hopes about a treatment plan gets this plan closer to the unique needs of every patient.
Decision Making: Self-directed clients can take full responsibility for their management,
which in turn helps to support their decisions to become more active. Consumers should be
informed of their treatment the nature of their illnesses and the possible courses of action also
include the reasons why a particular course of action is being recommended or not. This
means people can select choices which they believe best addresses their requirements and
principles.
Regular Reviews: Responding, on the other hand, all care plans should be reviewed
periodically with the individuals to make sure their needs have been taken into consideration
as well as their current situation. These reviews offer a chance to make changes when
conditions for the patient or the goals of the patient alter. Asking for feedback during reviews
is all about maintaining and building relationships and highlights the fact that care is a
process of continuous interaction.
Effective Communication: The necessary regular and full communication involves patients,
caregivers, and other staff members throughout the process of care. One specifically to do
with care could be that healthcare providers need to ensure the use of plain language in
talking to people and including them in decisions. It is highly effective and helpful to
welcome questions and reply to the concerns of fellow people as it helps to increase the
confidence of the individuals and also helps the other people to know that their views and
appreciation are welcome in the organization.
Advocacy Support: I also discovered that advocates can be highly involved to help or to
promote the interests of the person with the disability and his/her rights. They also inform
people about their rights, assist in their healthcare facilities as well as ensure that people’s
choices in treatment are considered.
Feedback Mechanism: Of particular note is the fact that the creation of a feedback
mechanism means that people can now share experiences regarding their caregiving
encounters. This can be done through questionnaires, mail feedback, or even group feedback

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sessions where people have anonymous write-ups. The managers, doctors, nurses, and other
caregivers should consider this feedback as a tool for refining healthcare service delivery,
meeting patient’s concerns and appreciating the positive things that a patient perceives about
the health facility.
Task 6

Scenario: This is the medical case of "Joe," a 47-year-old male accountant who had been
coughing nonstop for several weeks and had chest pain and shortness of breath from time to
time. Joe was found to have bronchitis after a thorough exam and diagnostic tests. His doctor
gave him azithromycin, which is an antibiotic that is often used to treat infections in the
respiratory tract. This story will talk about how Joe's medications are managed, with a focus
on how prescriptions are filled and medications are given out. I will also write up a detailed
account of how Joe's medication schedule was managed.

6.1 Describe Common Types of Medication and Their Effects and Potential
Side Effects

To avoid problems and make an informed decision about which medication to take, a patient
should know what medications he is taking, why he needs them, and any side effects that
might occur.

Analgesics: Paracetamol and ibuprofen are pain relievers that are frequently employed in
daily life. A lot of people take these drugs to treat pain, inflammation, and high temperatures.
Light stomach problems or even mild headaches are possible side effects.

Antibiotics: Prescribed to eradicate bacteria, amoxicillin is useful in treating bacterial

infections like bacterial throat infections. Naturally, they are useful in managing infections,
but the side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and potential allergic reactions.

Antidepressants: These are drugs that are used to cure depression and bipolar disease
conditions. They operate by enhancing the moods and the emotional health of an individual.
However, their use may cause side effects such as weight gain or loss, sleeping disorders, or
alteration of sexual desire.

Antipsychotics: Used in the management of mental health conditions including

schizophrenia, antipsychotics assist in controlling symptoms like hallucinations and paranoia.
Some of the possible adverse reactions associated with these medications are weight gain,
sedation, and alterations in blood sugar levels.

Anti-inflammatories: These drugs are given to patients to help minimize inflammation and
are often recommended for patients with arthritis (Glasby, 2012). It can also be associated
with side effects that include stomach discomfort, swelling, and a higher likelihood of
developing ulcers or bleeding in the digestive tract.

Sedatives: Used in treating anxiety or sleep disorders, sedatives are used in the management
of patients and have the ability to make them calm. But, they can cause drowsiness,
dependence, and occasionally, confusion.

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Vaccines: Vaccines are used to prevent infectious diseases and are usually safe with few
complications; these complications can be mild pains at the site of the injection of the vaccine
or slight fever.

Example: Joe was given the antibiotic amoxicillin for a throat infection one day. As a side
effect, he had a mild stomach upset.

6.2 Explain Different Routes of Medicine Administration

It's important to know about the different ways that medications can be given because this is
an important part of health care and patients need to get their medicines in the right way to
avoid more problems.

Oral (by mouth): This is the most frequently used approach of drug delivery where the
medicines are in the form of tablets, capsules or solutions. For example, amoxicillin that was
prescribed for Joe was taken through oral route. While this procedure is easy, it is not
advisable to patients with gastrointestinal problems.

Intravenous (into a vein): This way of giving medicine gets it into the bloodstream quickly
and completely. They are helpful for people who need a drug to work quickly or who can't
swallow tablets or capsules, like people who are very sick.

Intramuscular (into a muscle): This method can be used for specific types of medications
and vaccines, and it releases the medication into the bloodstream at a slower rate than
intravenous injection. This method works best when the drug needs to be released slowly into
the body.

Topical (applied to the skin): This route entails administration of substances through topical
application, which refers to the use of creams or ointments that are placed on the skin’s outer
surface for skin related ailment. Topical application is mostly less likely to have a systemic
effect as compared to oral medications.

Inhalable (breathed into the lungs): It is a technique that is used in cases of respiratory
disorders and it involves administering the medication to the respiratory system for asthma
treatment and other respiratory disorders (Courtenay and Griffiths, 2010).

Sublingual (under the tongue): The use of sublingual administration entails putting
medication under the tongue where it can easily dissolve and be absorbed into the
bloodstream. This route is especially useful in cases where medications such as nitro-
glycerine used in managing heart conditions are administered.

Rectal (inserted into the rectum): May be appropriate for patients who cannot swallow pills
due to nausea or patients who had surgery that may reduce the intake of oral medications.
This method makes certain that the medicine is assimilated in the body and not in the
digestive system.

Example: For amoxicillin, which Joe took by mouth, the intravenous route would have been
thought of if he was feeling very sick to make sure he got enough of the medicine and had the
fewest side effects on his stomach.
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6.3 Describe How to Administer Medication Safely and in Line With
Current Legislation and Guidelines

The Medicines Act of 1968, the Human Medicines Regulation of 2012, and the Health and
Social Care Act of 2008 are some of the laws in the UK that make sure medicines are given
safely. These rules are important because they help keep the safety of all steps in managing
medications, from writing the prescription to giving the medicine. Professional groups like
NICE make suggestions that are included in clinical guidelines. These suggestions show the
best way to handle drugs in a clinical setting right now.

Two important things that should always be considered when giving medications are the
staff's education and qualifications. Healthcare facilities have to make sure that all of their
staff who give out medications are well-trained, and their training needs to be checked on a
regular basis. This training helps make sure that the staff can give out medications safely,
which lowers the risk of accidents and improves patient safety.

Another important thing that should be done before giving medication is to get the patient's
permission. To this end, it is important for patients to know a lot about the drugs they are
given, including what benefits they can expect and what risks they might face. Sharing
information is one of the most important basic rights of patients, as spelt out by the
government and other healthcare groups.

Before administering medication, healthcare workers must adhere to the 'five rights': improve
the accuracy by which a patient gets the correct drug, to the correct patient, at the correct
dosage, at the correct time and through the correct route. This verification process can greatly
help in minimizing the occurrence of medication errors in healthcare organizations. Also,
documentation and record keeping must be done appropriately to ensure that any information
concerning administration of medication is well documented. These records have to be safely
archived while being easily retrievable, especially for the discretion of authorized personnel,
which contributes to the ongoing assessment of treatment efficacy and the handling of
possible adverse reactions.

It also uses yellow card scheme to report any reaction, complications or medication errors
that may occur within the healthcare system. Also, the correct methods of storage and
administration of medicines are maintained to reduce medication-related issues and to
prevent harm to the environment.

For instance, when a patient known as Joe needed medication to be administered to him, the
healthcare provider had to confirm his identity and then cross-check the prescription details
that were in reference to the particular medication to be administered, the dose and the correct
time for administration (Corey, 2017). Joe was well-informed regarding the need to remain
on his antibiotics even after he felt better and was counseled on the potential drug interactions
with other medications he was on. This approach highlights the need to follow the standards
of safety measures and informed consent as provided in the law such as Mental Capacity Act.

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6.4 Explain the Records to Be Completed for the Storage, Administration,
and Disposal of Medication

Very important thing in a healthcare setting is keeping track of the stocks, distribution, and
disposal of medicines. This is both a safety measure and a legal requirement. Some of the
records that could be kept are MAR charts, stock records, controlled drug registers, disposal
records, and incident reports.

Medicine Administration Record (MAR) Charts.

Purpose: MAR charts are critical instruments for the monitoring of patients' medications,
which may encompass prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and those subject to
controlled laws. You can use these charts to keep track of the right dose and give medications
the right way.

Details Recorded: The dates and times the drugs were given, the names of the drugs, how
much was given, and how it was given (for example, by mouth, on the skin, or through an
IV), along with the signature of the person who gave the drugs should all be written on the
charts. They also include notes about any rejections of the medicine or the reasons why a
certain dose wasn't given.

Stock Control Records

Purpose: These records are essential in the daily running of a health facility that stores
medicines since they assist in checking the stock and ensuring that there is a constant supply
of the drugs.

Details Recorded: Some of the details that should be provided in these entries include the
date of receipt of the supplies, the supplier, batch numbers, expiry dates, quantities received
as well as the available stock. Documentation of the quantity of the controlled substances that
have been dispensed and that are remaining is mandatory.

Controlled Drugs Register

Purpose: Control of the substances is tight, and hence requires a detailed register under the
misuse of drugs regulation 2001 for schedule 2 and 3 drugs. These checkups of this register
are compulsory to observe the requirement.

Details Recorded: It must maintain a record of all transactions made with suppliers and the
date of such transactions, supplier name and address, quantity received, quantity administered
and quantity remaining, patient details and administrator details (Berglund and Saltman,
2002).

Disposal Records

Purpose: It is important that proper records on how drugs are disposed are kept in order to
make sure that they are disposed appropriately and in an environmentally friendly way.

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Details Recorded: Documents should indicate the nature of the drugs that are disposed of, the
amount that is being disposed, the method of destruction, the date of destruction and the
people who are involved in the process.

Incident Reports

Purpose: These reports are important to provide any information about medical mishaps,
mistakes or other complications concerning medication handling or administration.

Details Recorded: The sections of the incident reports should involve the details of the people
involved in the incident, the type of incident, the behaviors or mistakes noted, actions taken
in response to the incident, and the results of the corrective actions.

These comprehensive records are essential in the delivery of health care since they help in the
establishment of legal and ethical standards of medication management activities within
healthcare facilities.

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References
● McCormack, B., & McCance, T. (2017). Person-Centred Practice in Nursing and
Health Care: Theory and Practice (2nd ed.). Wiley Blackwell.
● Arnold, E., & Boggs, K. (2020). Interpersonal Relationships: Professional
Communication Skills for Nurses. Elsevier.
● Medicines Act 1968
● Nancarrow, S. A., Booth, A., Ariss, S., Smith, T., Enderby, P., & Roots, A. (2013).
Ten principles of good interdisciplinary team work. Human Resources for Health,
11(1), 19.
● NICE (2022). Care and Support Planning. Available at:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng86.

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