Understanding the relevance of human rights in healthcare and nursing practice
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While the NHS aims to respect the human rights of every individual, it also has a wider social duty to promote equality in the services it provides. This means that the rights of individual patients are not absolute, because the aim of the NHS is to improve the overall health and well-being of the nation. For example, certain treatments may be withheld from individuals because of the excessive cost to the NHS, or concerns about its clinical effectiveness. This article explains the origins of human rights and their function, and examines the relationship between nursing care and human rights.
Who is this resource for?
Explains what the component is for
This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.
Why you should read this article
to understand the concept of human rights
to recognise the difference between human rights and healthcare needs
to be able to explain the role of human rights in relation to healthcare.
