A reflective account of valuing diversity and one aspect of anti-discriminatory practice which relates to a client from clinical placement.

This is a reflective essay which will give an account of the concept of valuing diversity and one aspect of anti-discriminatory practice. Its aim is to demonstrate these concepts by explaining their relationship with regards to a ‘diverse’ client whom I have cared for during my placement. Valuing diversity is recognising differences and turning them into positive characteristics. Howard (2004) supports this theory by defining valuing diversity as being aware of, sensitive to, and appreciating differences. The Department of Health (2004) explain valuing diversity within the NHS and determines …show more content…

My findings from case notes indicated that John was an intravenous drug abuser, who used heroin on a daily basis. Drug misuse or abuse, are the terms used to describe the use of illegal, prescription-only or over-the-counter drugs, for purposes other than intended by the manufacturer or doctor (NHS 2005). Heroin is a narcotic which is produced from morphine, a compound which comes from the opium poppy (Alderson and Rowland 1995). On finding the information relating to my clients health state, I recalled hearing two staff nurses joking in the office earlier that day by saying “oh joy, were getting another bloody smack head”, it then became apparent who the nurses must have been talking about. Therefore, this remark was significant in relation to diversity and discrimination, and the possible effects this could have on Johns care. Another comment was made by the same nurse, as I collected some admission documents from the nurse’s station. This time she was explaining how John has had recurrent admissions to the ward with deep vein thrombosis, described him as awkward and questioned why the Trust allows such people to take up beds. At that time I felt sympathetic towards John, as I did not think it was fair for him to be spoke about in that context. It is true that up to 400,000 hospital admissions within the UK are linked to the use of illicit drugs