22.02.12
Don’t neglect the neglect
A code of conduct signed by individual staff is the latest idea from the health sector, institutionally, to stop neglect of elderly patients and try to ensure NHS workers and care staff treat older people with respect.
Clearly there is only so much that individual organisations or even the Government can do on this, when so much comes down to attitude of some staff. Some of it can be handled by better resourcing, giving staff more time with each patient or service user, and some by better training, but ultimately staff cannot be monitored all of the time and have to be relied on to act in a way befitting their occupation and simple human dignity.
Will a code of conduct – even if it is written into individuals’ contracts – eliminate bad practice? No, just as the potential consequences that already exist, from disciplinary action to criminal sanctions, have not. But the creation of a code of conduct is something that the Government and health institutions can point to, work together on and coalesce around to do something about this problem.
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