Culture, Society and Ethics Case Study

Dora and Simon had been married for 59 years. Dora was blind and had recently developed Alzheimer’s. She and Simon were injured in a fall at home, and Simon was no longer able to care for her while he recovered. During this time, Dora was moved into a local publically funded nursing home.

It became clear that Dora would have to stay in a nursing home, but Simon visited her every day. However, their relationship was threatened when the local authority decided to move Dora into a permanent nursing home that was too far away for Simon and their children to visit.

What is the right thing to be done in this case?

Explain your answer in terms of human rights. Show your reasoning.

Equality in Providing Health Services

Mr. S is a 41-year-old unemployed male. He is diabetic and suffers from ischaemic heart disease and cerebro-vascular disease, leading to his stroke in 1996

In 1996, his kidneys failed as well. His condition is irreversible, and he is now in the final stages of chronic renal failure. His life could be pro longed by regular renal dialysis treatment. He has sought such treat-meant from the renal unit of the public hospital; however they can only provide dialysis treatment to a limited number of patients.

Culture, Society and Ethics Assignment Questions and Answers

Because of the shortage of resources, the hospital follows a set policy regarding the use of its dialysis resources. Only patients suffering from acute renal failure that can be treated and remedied by renal dialysis are given automatic access to renal dialysis at the hospital. Those patients who, like Mr. S, suffer from irreversible chronic renal failure are not automatically admitted to the renal dialysis program. Access to dialysis treatments for patients like Mr. S is given only to those eligible for a kidney transplant. Mr. S suffers from ischaemic heart disease and cerebro-vascular disease, and is therefore not eligible for a kidney transplant. Therefore, the hospital has been unable to provide Mr. S with the treatment he has requested.

Mr. S has managed to receive dialysis treatment from private hospitals and doctors, but his finances have been depleted and he claims he is no longer able to afford such treatments.

What issues are there involving equality, diversity, rights, & dignity in this case?

Case Study for Discussion

An elderly woman named Violet Simpson, 84, was receiving treatment for angina over the course of two years. Prior to having an operation for a bunion on her big toe, she was sent for a heart scan. It was then discovered that the issue was in fact not angina, but a leaky valve.

However, when requesting for it to be treated, Violet was disregarded by doctors. She said “I asked if I could have this fixed. The attitude from doctors was: What are you bothered about, at your age?”

She eventually managed to get an appointment; “I stuck to my guns and said I wanted this job done.” But she said “The whole experience made me feel pushed aside.”

What do you think should have been done for Violet to have been treated as an equal in this case? Explain why.