Module Description Template
s
Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Health, Law and Ethics: Level 5
NA2107
5
20
KSF Skills
Pre-requisites
Type of module
Aims
3, 5, 7, 20, 22
Course pre-requisites apply
Part-time extensive mode over one semester
This module aims to promote the skills of reasoned argument by
developing knowledge and understanding of ethical and legal
frameworks and their impact on health care settings.
On successful completion of the module the student will:
 Develop the skills of debate, discussion and reasoned
argument using a recognised ethical framework, in order to
effect decision-making in practice.
 Demonstrate an understanding of ethical rules, principles and
theories in arguments that arise in health care settings, and
relate these to the clinical situation.
 Demonstrate an understanding of English Law as it relates to
health care, using examples of case law to inform practice and
influence understanding of potential issues that may arise.
 Discuss and analyse issues related to accountability,
negligence, record keeping, documentation and consent, in the
clinical situation, demonstrating an understanding of the need
to encounter evidence-based practice in order to respect the
interests of patients/clients.
 Comprehend the specific differences in moral, legal and
professional responsibility.
This module will focus on the comprehension and application of ethical
theories in practice, and an acknowledgement of the impact of the legal
system in nursing practice.
To this end the content will focus on the following issues
 An introduction to English Law
 An introduction to moral thinking
 Ethical Theories (Teleology, Deontology and Virtue)
 Ethical Principles (Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence
and Justice)
 Ethical Rules (Veracity, Fidelity, Confidentiality and Privacy)
 Accountability (Self, Professional, Criminal, Civil, Employer)
 Negligence
 Record keeping and documentation
 Consent
 Ethico-legal aspects pertaining to the implementation of the
Human Rights Act 1998, Disability Discrimination Act and other
relevant rights legislation.
Teacher led key note lectures (shared learning with NA3102).
Tutorials, student led seminars and debate, using the students’ lived
professional experiences. It is envisaged that this module is an
interactive module, incorporating an analysis of the real issues of
Learning
outcomes/objectives
Content
Teaching and learning
strategies
practice within the confines of a confidential environment. Mandatory
field trip to the local Combined Court or Coroners Court or Health
Professions Fitness to Practise meeting or a Nursing and Midwifery
Council Professional Conduct Committee or similar committee; this trip
will be at the students’ expense. studentCentral will support and
enhance the students’ learning
Formative assessment. Students will be required to submit a concept
map, which will be included with the final submission. This will enable
students to make links between what they already know to new
concepts and it will be used to facilitate the development and
organisation of information for the summative assessment
Learning support
Module hours - 200
60- hours taught
30 – studentcentral activity
40 – hours self directed learning
70 – links to clinical practice
The main theoretical concepts and principles will be introduced and
developed through teacher led sessions, from which student centred
learning can proceed. The use of guided reading will encourage
independent learning and enable students to identify their own
particular development needs. The module is largely interactive and
participative in nature, enabling the students to develop skills of
reasoned argument and reflection.
Indicative Reading:
Beauchamp, T and J. Childress. 2001. Principles of Biomedical Ethics.
5th ed. Oxford University Press.
Dimond, B. In press. Legal Aspects of Nursing. 5th ed. Longmans
Edwards, S. 1996. Nursing Ethics: A Principle-Based Approach.
MacMillan
Rumbold, G. 1999. Ethics in Nursing Practice. 3rd ed. Bailliere Tindall.
Singer, P. 1993. A Companion to Ethics. Blackwell Reference.
Thompson I., K. Melia., K. Boyd and D. Horsburgh. 2006. Nursing
Ethics.5th en. Churchill Livingstone.
Thompson, M. 1999. Ethical Theory. Hodder & Stoughton:
Tingle, J. and A. Cribb. 2007. Nursing Law and Ethics. 3rd ed.
Blackwell Science.
Cases - www.lawtel.co.uk
Department of Health - www.dh.gov.uk
Ethics Updates http://ethics.acusd.edu
General Medical Council - www.gmc-uk.org
Health Professions Council - www.hpc-uk.org
Nursing and Midwifery Council – www.nmc-uk.org
Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence – www.chre.org.uk
Statutes & SIs - www.hmso.gov.uk
Assessment tasks
Brief description of module
content and/or aims
(maximum 80 words)
In addition relevant health care, law and ethics journals e.g Nursing
Ethics, Arnold
Using a client case scenario, the student will prepare a 3,500 word
comparative analysis of the legal and ethical issues within their field of
practice.
(minimum pass rate of 40%)
The module will focus on the changing legal and ethical requirements
of health care environments, and aims to focus on the difference
between ‘legal’ aspects of care, and ‘moral’ aspects of care, enabling
Area examination board to
which module relates
Module
team/authors/coordinator
Semester offered, where
appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this
version
Version number
Replacement for previous
module
Course(s) for which
module is acceptable and
status in that course
School home
External examiner
debate and discussion around issues of professional accountability,
rights, responsibilities and ‘acting in the patient’s interest’. The effects
of the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 will be explored.
Undergraduate Continuing Professional Development
Sharon de Goeas (Module Leader)
Linnette King
Semester 1
Falmer
26/11/2010
1
Legal & Ethical Aspects of Health Care - NA276
BSc (Hons) in Professional Practice - Optional/mandatory
SNM
Maureen Benbow (expires September 2009)