Accountability - Vital Notes For Nurses

Vital Notes on Accountability is a concise, accessible guide which provides students and newly qualified staff with an understanding of key issues in professional practice.

Nurses are accountable for their own practice and require a thorough understanding of their core responsibilities which underpin everyday practice in the health service today.

This introductory text in the ‘Vital Notes for Nurses’ series sets out a framework for accountability which consists of four ‘pillars’ - legal, ethical, employment and professional accountability - against which clinical issues can be considered.

Helen Caulfield is a Solicitor and Policy Advisor at the RCN. She is a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel and a leading expert on regulation and health law effecting nursing.

This is an excellent book for nurses preparing for the register and continuing guide and source of reflection for those further on in their careers.'

Nursing Standard (5 star rating)

Chapter 1 The Four Pillars of Accountability.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
A framework of accountability.
The first pillar of accountability: professional accountability.
The second pillar: ethical accountability.
The third pillar of accountability: legal accountability.
The fourth pillar: employment accountability.
Conclusion.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 2 The First Pillar of Accountability: Professional Accountability.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
A classification of regulation in professional accountability.
The functions of regulation in professional accountability.
Regulatory bodies for professional accountability.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Other codes of conduct and guidance.
The future of professional accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 3 The Second Pillar of Accountability: Ethical Accountability.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
Autonomy.
Paternalism.
Utilitarianism.
Equity.
Best interests.
Trust and truth.
Acts and omissions.
Application to accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 4 The Third Pillar of Accountability: Legal Accountability.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
What is law?.
Why is law important?.
Where is law made?.
How is law made?.
Who are lawyers?.
Types of law.
European law and devolution in the UK.
Application to accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 5 The Fourth Pillar of Accountability: Employment Accountability.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
The employment relationship.
Types of employment relationship.
The contract of employment.
Protocols and policies.
Working time directive.
Discrimination.
Family rights.
Unfair dismissal and redundancy.
Health and safety.
Application to accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 6 Structures: The Health Service.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
The Health Service and devolution in the UK.
Rights to treatment and resources.
Quality standards.
Application to accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 7 Structures: Rights and Redress.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
Human rights.
Redress in health care.
Application to accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 8 Concepts: Negligence.
Learning objective.
Introduction.
The first principle: duty of care.
The second principle: breaking the duty of care.
The third principle: causation.
The fourth principle: compensation.
Employers' liability and indemnity insurance.
Contributory negligence and time limits.
Assault.
Application to accountability.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 9 Concepts: Consent.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
Why consent is important.
The three principles of consent.
Consent and young people.
Consent and adults.
Emergency treatment.
Consent forms.
Conclusion.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 10 Applications: Confidentiality.
Learning objectives.
Introduction.
Legal accountability.
Professional accountability.
Ethical accountability.
Employment accountability.
Practical tips for protecting confidentiality in clinical relationships.
Conclusion.
Useful websites.
References.
Chapter 11 Further Applications in Accountability.
Learning objective.
Introduction.
Abortion and conscientious objection.
Scenario.
Conclusion.
Useful websites.
References