By Sasha Bowles
Introduction:
In this booklet I am going to be describing discriminatory practice in a Health and Social care setting. I will also be discussing the potential effects on those who use health or social care services.
I’m going to be writing about the following: * Overt Discrimination * Covert Discrimination * Stereotyping * Prejudice * Abuse * Racism * Sexism * Homophobia
In a Health and Social care setting each individual should have the same treatment or care opportunities open to them as every one else. Discrimination is illegal in the UK and there is a lot of legislation in place to support any individual, who feels unfairly discriminated against.
Discrimination can happen for a number of different reasons. For example discrimination could happen because of someone’s, gender, age or even appearance.
Types of Discrimination
Overt Discrimination:
This type of discrimination is open and not hidden in anyway.
An example of overt discrimination would be paying a male nurse more money than the female nurse for the same job because of their gender. In the health and social care sector overt discrimination is more likely to be seen in the way a patient is treated by staff.
Covert Discrimination:
This type of discrimination is completely the opposite from overt discrimination. Covert discrimination is described as hidden.
For an example four people applying for a job as a nurse. They would be called for an interview, using the same criteria. However if the panel, decide not to call someone for their interview due to their name or the area they live in, this is called covert discrimination
Stereotyping:
“A stereotype is also a thought what may be adopted about specific types of an individual or certain ways of doing things but that belief may not accurately reflect reality”
Examples of stereotypes in Health and Social Care could be:
* Overweight people are very