Ethics

As a student you may come across ethical issues in teaching and practice learning. You will gain a broader understanding of ethical issues throughout your programme of study. If a specific issue arises, you are advised to discuss this with your supervisor.

If concerns arise about care delivery during a practice experience, you should follow the Raising and Escalating Concerns policy.

Breach of confidentiality

Students of nursing, midwifery, health and social care learn in classroom and clinical settings as well as other appropriate locations. It is inevitable that the assignments that students write will sometimes require them to draw on the experiences they have gained on placements or within work settings.

In drawing on these experiences however, all professionals and students of nursing, midwifery, health and social care have a duty to maintain confidentiality. It is important that details are not disclosed that could lead to the identification of particular individuals, families/significant others or places as this would constitute a breach of confidentiality.

Fitness to practice and study

Fitness to Practice means having the skills, knowledge, character and health to practice your profession safely and effectively. As you are a student on a programme leading to registration with a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB), you are expected to demonstrate that you will be able to meet the standards expected by your profession.

Developing your skills, knowledge and professional values for safe and effective practice are part of your overall programme of education. You will receive feedback and be regularly assessed on these aspects of your Fitness to Practise, both in theory and during your practice experiences. However, your Fitness to Practice is not just about your skills and knowledge.

Fitness to Practice also includes issues relating to your health, conduct and character. This involves anything that you do in your professional or personal life that may impact upon the public – particularly their safety or the trust and confidence that they place in the health professions. Your own health and wellbeing are another important part of your Fitness to Practice. Therefore, the Fitness to Practice Committee has a remit to support you to maintain sufficient health and wellbeing to practise safely and effectively, and to address any issues of concern in relation to your health, conduct and character.

For full policy details and procedures visit the Fitness to Practice Committee website.

The Fitness to Practice Committee may also be involved in any instances of the University’s Support to Study/ Attend Policy being initiated for a Department of Health Sciences student.