Protection of Vulnerable People: Safeguarding those with Mental Illness

IntroductionIndividuals with intellectual wellness directs may piddle from neglect and shame as a result of their chink (Taylor, 2006). Hence, the National wellness Service (NHS) in the UK places emphasis on safeguarding these privates and recognising them as a unsafe group. The De subroutinement of Health (2000) states that the act of safeguarding is synonymous with protecting those who are more exposed to abuse and neglect. The main aim of this demonstrate is to discuss safeguarding patients suffering from affable complaint. The first part of this study discusses vulnerability in this group. Factors that influence vulnerability and how these impact the wellness and wellbeing of these individuals will to a fault be explored. The second part discusses multidisciplinary and multiagency interventions to protect and safeguard those with intellectual wellness conditions. The third part examines the safeguarding laws and policies that agree and inform the work of a mu lti-disciplinary team. This will then be followed by a reflection of the realiseings of this attempt and how these influence practice of a student nurse. Finally, a conclusion that summarises the key points raised in this essay will be done.Vulnerability of patients with mental health conditions Watkins (2008) observes that the limited ability individuals with mental health conditions to evince themselves increase the risk of abuse. For example, patients might express their fears and anxiety through aggressive behaviour (RCN, 2008). When patients are laid in a new environment, such as a hospital setting, they might be unavailing to articulate their feelings and become anxious. This is aggravated when they could not see their family members or when nurses take over their families in providing for their alimony (RCN, 2008). McDonnell (2011) explains that is not uncommon for these patients to become defensive and aggressive when surrounded with strangers.Second, patients with ment al indisposition often suffer from stigmatisation, discrimination and isolation (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011 Moran et al., 2013 Mestdagh and Hansen, 2014). Moran et al. (2013) states that isolation could aggravate the patients mental health condition since privation of social support increases risk of depression. Stigmatisation, on the other hand, increases vulnerability since patients might not entrance fee steal health dole out run due to negative perceptions of patients with mental illness (Mestdagh and Hansen, 2014). Individuals with a history of mental illness could to a fault experience discrimination at work or when applying for recitation (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011). All these factors influence the health and wellbeing of those with mental health condition. Lack of social support and inability of an individual to find an employment increase the risk of depression (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011). It is widely established (Cocker et al., 2014 Lubkin and Larsen, 2011) that chronic d epression is strongly associated with curt health outcomes such as development of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other chronic conditions. Importantly, depression has been associated with poor adherence to medications or a care plan (Grenard et al., 2011). Hence, vulnerable individuals such as those with mental health conditions could suffer poorer health as a result of discrimination, stigmatisation and isolation.Multi-disciplinary and multiagency interventions to protect and safeguard those with mental health conditions A blended approach in caring for vulnerable individuals with mental health conditions has been promoted in the NHS (passing Pathway, 2005). incompatible groups of healthcare professionals are involved in safeguarding those with mental health conditions. For instance, occupational therapists assistance patients engage in occupations that help restore meaning in their lives. On the other hand, therapists provide oppos ite types of counseling to aid individuals cope with their condition. For example, these therapists offer cognitive behavioural counseling or family therapy to help patients with their thought process or engage family members in the support and management of the individual (Gehart, 2012). Drawing from different literature, mental health nurses could in addition use current evidence to help inform care plans that are particular proposition for the needs of a vulnerable individual.Meanwhile, a focus is made on patient-centred care (Transition Pathway, 2005) This means that vulnerable individuals participate in healthcare decisions regarding their health. Health and social care team members provide the needed support as they help students arrive at an informed decision. Today, there are many types of therapies and interventions for individuals with mental health condition. Watkins (2008) observes that each individual is unique and hence, blended approach and choices are necessary to create a healthcare plan specific for the individual. The chronic nature of mental health conditions as well requires prolonged support and care from different healthcare team members. Similarly, multiple agencies spend a penny to coordinate care for each person. Many vulnerable individuals with mental health condition have to passageway from supported care to independent living. Further, transition from adolescence to adulthood for vulnerable individuals could be a specially challenging time. The incision of Health (2011a) has provided the Pathways to getting a Life white opus to help health and social care practitioners coordinate care for those with mental health condition transition to independent living.One of the challenges when providing multidisciplinary and multi-agency care for vulnerable individuals is allowing patients to exercise autonomy while maintaining their synthetic rubber. The Nursing and Midwifery Councils (NMC, 2008) cypher of conduct stresses the impor tance of respecting patient autonomy when making healthcare decisions. However, patient autonomy might be difficult to observe especially if choices of the patients could lead to poor health outcomes. On the other hand, patients are as well as encouraged to participate in healthcare decisions. While this is considered as best practice, some patients might be reluctant to participate in healthcare decisions (De Las Cuevas and Penate, 2014 Goggins et al., 2014 Hajizadeh et al., 2014). This might be due to poor levels of knowledge regarding their condition (Goggins et al., 2014) or inability to participate in healthcare decisions (De Las Cuevas and Penate, 2014). The former could be manoeuvreed through patient education while the latter through representation of a family member.Meanwhile, social care has an integral exercise in helping vulnerable individuals not wholly transition to independent living but as well as in assisting them find suitable employment. The partnership betwe en health and social care ensures that individuals receive fit support when they return to their communities. Hence, empowering patients to take care of their own needs and to manage their condition prevents exacerbation of the condition or development of complications.Safeguarding laws and policiesThe policy No Health without Mental Health (Department of Health, 2011b) acts as a sink for different healthcare professionals, social care workers and other stakeholders when providing care for individuals with mental health conditions. Specifically, this policy states that just treatment should be provided for vulnerable groups. This suggests that treatment and services should not only be patient-centred but also responsive to the immediate and long-term needs of the vulnerable individual. However, equitable mental health treatment for different groups of patients still remains a challenge in the NHS.For instance, Nzira and Williams (2008) argue that all individuals, regardless of th eir race or ethnicity, should enjoy comparability in choice of their care providers and process. However, outline of recent literature (Cantor-Graae and Selten, 2005 Kirkbride et al., 2008 Marmot, 2010) suggest that individuals from the blacken and minority ethnic groups do not enjoy the same equality promoted in the Department of Healths (2011b) policy. Incidence of mental health conditions is still higher in the black and minority ethnic group compared to the general white population in the UK. Further, this group also experiences social exclusion as a result of poor housing opportunities. There is evidence that poor housing and homelessness have been associated with poorer mental health (Pattereson et al., 2013). Hence, individuals with mental health conditions who happen to belong to the black and minority ethnic groups tend to have poorer health outcomes compared to their white counterparts (Kirkbride et al., 2008).Apart from evaluating the impact of the No Health without M ental Health policy on vulnerable groups, it is also inwrought to investigate current legislations that safeguard those with mental health conditions. The Equality practice (UK Legislation, 2010) and the Mental Health performance 2007 (UK Legislation, 2007) both promote the rights of mental health patients. The first Act supports equality in the workplace. For instance, the Act states that employers are generally not allowed to ask close the disability of an individual forrader a job is offered. Although this does not exempt employers from asking questions on the health and scene of early employees when utterly necessary, this shows that equality is observed in the workplace. Meanwhile, the Mental Health Act 2007 (UK Legislation, 2007) introduces changes to the previous Mental Health Act 1983 (UK Legislation, 1983). This time, definition for mental health professionals is broadened to include different healthcare professionals who are involved in the care of patients even wi thout their consent. It should be noted that patients who pose a significant threat to others and to their own selves are admitted, detained and do by in hospital settings under this Act.RefectionOn reflection, this essay helped me realised the importance of increasing my knowledge on the needs of vulnerable patients with mental health conditions and the factors that promote their vulnerability. Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, serve in the chief of care. As leaders of care, I will facilitate the care and management of vulnerable patients in the future. This is only possible if I am aware on how cultural differences, stigmatisation, discrimination and isolation influence the flight of stairs of their condition. I realised that all these factors are crucial in promoting inequalities in healthcare. If I fail to address these factors, I will not be able to provide quality care to my patients.This essay also helps me appreciate the value of working in multidisciplinary teams and being aware of the roles of each team member. Since mental health conditions are complex, a blended approach is necessary to address individual needs. Vulnerability of an individual is increase when team members fail to consider and address the holistic needs of a patient. In my current and future practice, I should be aware of how I could contribute to effective team collaboration in recount to reduce patient vulnerability.There is also a need to be aware of different safeguarding laws and policies for mental health patients. This will help me use these laws and policies to lobby for the rights of my patients. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008) stresses the importance of patient safety and providing only quality care. Patient safety is observed when policies and laws on safeguarding are used to the fullest. On reflection, I should continue to become acquainted with different policies and legislations on safeguarding to ensure that the rights of my patients are protected. Specifically, this will help me find appropriate programmes or care pathways for my patients. On reflection, I should provide patient education to help patients make informed decisions regarding their care. This will not only empower my patients but also help them self-manage their own conditions. purposeThis essay explores the concept of vulnerability and focuses on patients with mental health condition as a proxy of the vulnerable group. These patients have additional challenges since mental illness is still strongly associated with discrimination, isolation and stigmatisation. Ethnic background also plays a role in their access to appropriate health and social care services. Those be to the black and minority ethnic groups have higher incidence of mental illness and less access to healthcare services compared to their white counterparts. The care pathway for vulnerable groups is supported by different health and social care agencies. Multidisciplinary and multi-agen cy team working are necessary to provide support to vulnerable groups. This essay demonstrates the importance of coordinating care and using a blended approach. Patient-centred care is highly promoted in the NHS since it is essential to design a care plan specific to the healthcare needs of an individual. Finally, this essay shows the importance of become acquainted with different policies and legislations on safeguarding. Knowledge on these policies and laws will help nurses exercise patient safety and quality care. Nurses will be able to identify appropriate health and social care services for each mental health service user.ReferencesCantor-Graae, E. & Selten, J. (2005) Schizophrenia and migration a meta-analysis and review, American Journal of Psychiatry, 162, pp. 12-24.Cocker, F., Nicholson, J., Graves, N., Oldenburg, B., Palmer, A., Martin, A., Scott, J., Venn, A. & Sanderson, K. (2014) imprint in working adults comparing the costs and health outcomes of working when il, PLo S One, 9(9) e105430 Online. useable from http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25181469 (Accessed 3 November, 2014).De Las Cuevas, C. & Penate, W. (2014) To what conclusion psychiatric patients feel involved in decision making about their mental health careRelationships with socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological variables, Acta Neuropsychiatrica Online. 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