Ethical issues

There are a number of ethical issues that may arise in relation to medication. Many of these are covered elsewhere so we wont spend a lot of time on them. It is important to recognise that there are ethical issues. These are:

Let’s take a brief look at each of these…

Privacy and confidentiality

The privacy of information must meet the Data Protection Act 2018. Only people who are entitled to information are allowed to have the information. Consent to share information must always be given by the individual, unless they do not have capacity and other arrangements have been made.

Transmission of diseases

Care and support workers must protect themselves by following policies and procedures, wearing appropriate PPE, keeping their vaccinations up to date and having excellent infection control and hygiene practices.

Relationships

It is essential that care and support workers maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with the people they support. Sexual and personal relationships are not permitted. Your role is to support, not to get involved personally, influence or control.

Another aspect of relationships is where individuals feel pressured or bullied into doing things by their family that are against their own wishes. You should support people to speak up if this happens and report to your manager any concerns you have.

End of Life

When people are nearing the end of their lives, they may take decisions about not taking recommended medication that would improve or prolong their lives. They may choose not to have surgery and not to be resuscitated. It is not your role to question these decisions but to support the individuals to make informed choices. Our End of Life course explains this in greater detail.

Informed consent and mental capacity

A doctor must fully inform his or her patient about why a medication is being recommended and the expectations of treatment and side effects of medication.

Every adult has the right to make his or her own decisions. You must assume they have capacity to do so unless it is proved otherwise. If you are concerned that someone does not have mental capacity, you must contact your manager.

Administering medication covertly

Covert administration is when medicines are given in a disguised format.

If medicines are hidden in food, drink or through a feeding tube without the knowledge or consent of the person receiving them, the person is unknowingly taking a medicine. Every person has the right to refuse their medicine, even if that refusal appears ill-judged to the people who are caring for them. You must never personally make a decision to covertly give medication. This is a very complicated area of the law. You must follow instructions.

What you can do? 

• Check if the individual understands why they are taking medication.
• If they don’t understand why they are taking medication, find out if they have someone to advocate for them.
• Understand the reasons why this medication has been prescribed and how.
• Find out what the side effects might be so you know what might happen and what could be an adverse reaction.
• If medication is being given as a means of control, is this the least restrictive method?
• Check if the medication been risk assessed and what is written in the risk assessment.
• Contact your manager if you think anything doesn’t seem right.