Case studies: Merryvale Residence, Zebra ward
P6 & M3 –the influence of different health and safety laws/policies on health and social care
practice and how it informs practice
Legislations are acts and regulations that are usually made by parliament. Health and safety
acts state what should or should not be done by employers and employees to keep services
safe. If employers or employees do something that they should not do or do not do something
they should do they could be taken action against under an act, they could end up paying a
large fine or even have to face a prison sentence etc.
The health and safety at work act (1974)
This requires employers to ensure that all employees and others affected by the work of the
service are kept safe. Employees have a duty not to put themselves and others in danger and
they are required to use any safety equipment that is provided, and they must be trained to do
so. The act applies to all workplaces and the policies can vary in response depending on the
needs or the organization.
The data protection act (1998)
The data protection act is all about confidentiality, it is the key basis of professional
relationships with service users, and it protects the dignity of the service users.
The principles of the data protection act:
Information should only be held with the owner's consent.
Information should be held securely.
Information should be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Information should be assessable to the service user.
, Confidentiality can be breeched if the service user is at risk to themselves, others or if they are
committing a crime.
The care act (2014)
The care act is all about data sharing, data sharing enhances the quality of care for the service
user and the health and safety of the care worker. This applies for statutory, private or
voluntary care provision.
Data sharing should:
Enable interagency communication and support decision making.
Clarify the channels of communication and procedures to share information.
Be inclusive of all partners involved in safeguarding.
The care standards act (2000)
The act sets minimum standards of care and how the agencies are regulated and inspected.
The care standards act provides the regulations of:
Children's homes.
Independent hospitals.
Independent clinics.
Care homes.
Residential family centres.
Independent medical agencies.
Domiciliary care agencies.
Fostering agencies.
Nurses' agencies.
Voluntary adoption agencies.
The care standards act set up the commission for social care inspection which established a
new system of national minimal standards for all residential homes, nursing homes and
domiciliary services. Its main function is to promote improvements in social care. Care
standards ensure that care homes are promoting, recognizing and supporting mental health in
care establishments. Homes should access primary and secondary care and health services for
residents so that service users' mental health is cared for and treated appropriately.
The equality act (2010)
The equality act replaces previous anti discriminatory acts.
The equality act prevents people being discriminated against based on their protected
characteristics. The protected characteristics are age, disability, gender re-assignment,
pregnancy, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
P6 & M3 –the influence of different health and safety laws/policies on health and social care
practice and how it informs practice
Legislations are acts and regulations that are usually made by parliament. Health and safety
acts state what should or should not be done by employers and employees to keep services
safe. If employers or employees do something that they should not do or do not do something
they should do they could be taken action against under an act, they could end up paying a
large fine or even have to face a prison sentence etc.
The health and safety at work act (1974)
This requires employers to ensure that all employees and others affected by the work of the
service are kept safe. Employees have a duty not to put themselves and others in danger and
they are required to use any safety equipment that is provided, and they must be trained to do
so. The act applies to all workplaces and the policies can vary in response depending on the
needs or the organization.
The data protection act (1998)
The data protection act is all about confidentiality, it is the key basis of professional
relationships with service users, and it protects the dignity of the service users.
The principles of the data protection act:
Information should only be held with the owner's consent.
Information should be held securely.
Information should be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Information should be assessable to the service user.
, Confidentiality can be breeched if the service user is at risk to themselves, others or if they are
committing a crime.
The care act (2014)
The care act is all about data sharing, data sharing enhances the quality of care for the service
user and the health and safety of the care worker. This applies for statutory, private or
voluntary care provision.
Data sharing should:
Enable interagency communication and support decision making.
Clarify the channels of communication and procedures to share information.
Be inclusive of all partners involved in safeguarding.
The care standards act (2000)
The act sets minimum standards of care and how the agencies are regulated and inspected.
The care standards act provides the regulations of:
Children's homes.
Independent hospitals.
Independent clinics.
Care homes.
Residential family centres.
Independent medical agencies.
Domiciliary care agencies.
Fostering agencies.
Nurses' agencies.
Voluntary adoption agencies.
The care standards act set up the commission for social care inspection which established a
new system of national minimal standards for all residential homes, nursing homes and
domiciliary services. Its main function is to promote improvements in social care. Care
standards ensure that care homes are promoting, recognizing and supporting mental health in
care establishments. Homes should access primary and secondary care and health services for
residents so that service users' mental health is cared for and treated appropriately.
The equality act (2010)
The equality act replaces previous anti discriminatory acts.
The equality act prevents people being discriminated against based on their protected
characteristics. The protected characteristics are age, disability, gender re-assignment,
pregnancy, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
