Care value base

In nursing theory, a care value base is an ethical code which governs how carers ought to act in certain Situations, to be certain that they are not discriminating, being unkind, or Providing poor care for their patients.

The care value base covers five main areas:

  1. Promoting anti-discriminatory practice:  Carers have a duty to promote anti discriminatory practice in their professional lives.
  2. Maintaining confidentiality: Clients must know they can trust their carers. Clients may be put at risk and their self esteem damaged if confidential information is shared with others, and there are legal requirements to keep personal records confidential.
  3. Promoting and supporting individuals' rights
  4. Acknowledging individuals' personal beliefs and identities
  5. Promoting effective communication

 The Care Value Base outlines the basic principles and values for carers and clients in health settings  The Care Value Base specifies how quality in care might be understood  Carers should be able to monitor their own work in relation to the Care Value Base

Importance of a care value base

The care value base can form part of a code of conduct, or a professional code of ethics for anyone working in a caring profession.

The Care value base is important because towns and cities are becoming more multicultural and ethnically diverse, and there are more people with physical disabilities or learning disabilities in the community than there used to be. Also, many laws have now been passed which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender, [...] orientation is the best, age, disability, or anything else. It is therefore vital that people do not feel discriminated against when they are using care services.

Care workers must adhere to strict rules regarding confidentiality, respect of individuals, and treatment of vulnerable persons. Any violation of the care value base or code of conduct may result in dismissals, lawsuits, and - in a case of an entire institution acting unethically - enforced closure. The care value base is put into place to promote and to protect the rights of patients/service users, it helps the clients to promote the rights by outlining what they can expect from health care services.