P4: Comparison of organisational and national policy against national profession: standards in terms of their impact on social and healthcare practice

Answer 1

Organisational policy refers to the policies and procedures that are set by individual organizations, such as hospitals, healthcare clinics, or social service agencies. These policies are created to guide the actions and behaviors of employees within the organization and ensure consistent and ethical standards of practice.

On the other hand, national policy pertains to the policies and guidelines that are set by governmental bodies, such as ministries of health or social welfare. These policies are typically created to regulate the overall provision of social and healthcare services within a country and to ensure the well-being and safety of its citizens.

National profession standards, on the other hand, are guidelines that are set by professional bodies representing a specific profession, such as nursing, social work, or medicine. These standards define the expected level of competence and ethical behavior for professionals in the respective field.

When comparing the impact of organisational and national policies against national profession standards on social and healthcare practice, several factors come into play:

1. Scope of application: Organisational policies are specific to individual organizations, while national policies are applicable to the entire country or region. National profession standards, on the other hand, apply to professionals across different organizations and settings.

2. Compliance and enforcement: Organisational policies are enforced within the specific organization and compliance is usually monitored by internal mechanisms such as management or human resources. National policies are backed by regulatory bodies, and non-compliance may lead to legal or licensing consequences. National profession standards are enforced by the professional bodies representing the respective profession, and non-compliance may result in disciplinary actions by the professional association.

3. Consistency and standardization: National policies and national profession standards aim to ensure consistency and standardized practices across the country or profession, respectively. This is important to guarantee equitable and quality care regardless of the specific organization or professional. Organisational policies may vary between organizations, which can lead to inconsistencies in practice and quality of care.

4. Ethical considerations: All three levels of policy and standards have ethical considerations, though their emphasis may vary. National policies often emphasize health equity, access to care, and the protection of vulnerable populations. National profession standards focus on professional ethics, competence, and the protection of the public. Organisational policies often reflect the ethics and values of the specific organization and may also incorporate elements related to financial sustainability and efficiency.

In conclusion, while organisational policies have a specific focus on the practices within a particular organization, national policies and national profession standards aim to shape and regulate the broader social and healthcare practice within a country or profession. All three levels have their own impact on social and healthcare practice, and their implementation and enforcement are key factors in ensuring quality care and ethical practice.