Context of Nursing

This essay will explore the nurse’s professional responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable patients. It will identify vulnerabilities specific to Blanche, a ninety year old lady with medical and physical problems (appendix 1). Other issues such as patient rights, autonomy and accountability will be discussed. It will consider the nurses professional behaviour and interventions to support Blanche. The Department of Health (DH, 2000a, p.8) define a vulnerable adult as a person over eighteen who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of disability, age, illness or who may or may not be able to care for or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. Hogston and Marjoram (2011, p.362) agree suggesting vulnerable people are those who find it more difficult to protect themselves from harm. NHS Choices (2011a) adds vulnerable adults are people who are at greater risk of abuse than normal.

People are considered vulnerable if they fall into any of the following groups: people with learning disabilities or severe mental health problems, disabled people, children and older people (Hogston and Majoram, 2011, p.362-363). Although able bodied people may become vulnerable at various times during their life. Vulnerability occurs during times of ill health, following an accident, after over indulging in alcohol or simply due to the ageing process. People are classed as vulnerable when they are dependent on others to provide their care needs (DH, 2000, cited in Straughair, 2011, p.49). According to Field and Smith (2008, p.49) vulnerability levels generally increase when in unfamiliar situations or surroundings for example if travelling overseas or the first day in a new job.

Safeguarding is essential in patient care and requires nurses to ensure their patients are safe and free from harm (AgeUK, 2010, p.4). Nurses are duty bound to understand and comply with their professional codes, trust standards and government