EQUALITY,
DIVERSITY AND
RIGHTS
By Samantha Plummer & Pratiksha
Rai
WHAT IS EQUALITY?
Equality is about treating everyone in society equally but not in the same way.
Due to all service users having different needs, they cannot be treated exactly the same. If they were, there is a chance that not all service users needs will be met.
It also means service users are given equal opportunities to services.
WHAT IS DIVERSITY?
Diversity means ‘differences.’ This means service providers meet with a variety of people as they could potentially come from differing backgrounds, education and even different religions.
In a health and social care setting, differences must be valued and respected as keeping their individuality is important.
WHAT IS RIGHTS?
Rights are what every individual is entitled to, both as a service user and a provider. For example, the service user has the right to be ‘treated with dignity and respect.’
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF DISCRIMINATION?
There are two types of discrimination.
These are: covert and indirect.
Overt discrimination is when a service provider or user openly discriminates against those around him.
Indirect, however, is different. It is different to overt as it is less obvious than overt as it is more subtle. It is when conditions are put in place that disadvantages others.
WHAT IS DISCRIMINATORY
PRACTICE?
It is when health care providers fail to provide or maintain anti-discriminatory practice as all service users are not given access to equal services or opportunities. IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE, WHAT
IS ANTI-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTISE?
Anti-discriminatory practise helps to prevent discrimination (both overt and indirect) from happening in the health care setting as it promotes equality, making sure discrimination does not happen. This could include training sessions being carried out that emphasises the importance in not discriminating.
WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE EFFECT OF
THESE ON SERVICE USERS IN 3 HSC
SETTINGS?
If the service providers treat the service users with equality and respect and not discriminated against, then the service users will feel respected and valued.
For example, if this was the case in a hospital, the service users will seem to have more involvement in their care and feel that their opinion is respected.
Also, if service users diversity is respected, there sense of individuality will not be lost. If an elderly service user in a care home is unable to eat meat due to religious reasons but there is no other alternative, his sense of cultural identity will be lost.
Being aware of the differences of the service users will help to prevent discrimination from happening.
This could cover a variety of health and social care settings. For instance, a police station, GP surgery.
