Public Health Legislation and Ethical Principles - Case Study 1 and 2

Case Study 1: Public Health Legislation and Ethical Principles

Case Study1John has attended the Genito-urinary clinic at his local district health board hospital. John is seen by Dr Smith who informs him that he is HIV positive. Dr Smith counsels John to contact his sexual partners to inform them of his status. John starts a course of treatment.For the last 18 months John has been in a relationship with Tracey. They are expecting a baby in 2 months’ time. Before this relationship John had a series of sexual partners.On a subsequent visit to the clinic it becomes clear to Dr Smith that John has not told Tracey of his HIV status. Dr Smith is aware of the impending arrival of their baby and tells John thatsteps should be taken to assess whether Tracy is HIV positive and whether the baby is at risk so that if necessary,treatment may be started.John adamantly refuses to tell Tracey and says that if she is told without his consent, he will stop his course of treatment.Case Study2You are working as a Health Care Assistant in New Zealand Residential Care. Mrs Jackson, one of the residents’ that you and your colleague are caring for that day, is experiencing quite a few health carechallenges, to a point that her daughter is called in to help calm her down.That evening, you are on Facebook at home after work and your colleague posts on her “wall” about her day at work and in particular mentions some information about a “patient’s” condition. Your colleague does not mention Mrs Jackson’s name, but all her friends know where she works, and you know who she is referring to. HLTH7001 Professional Practice and Legislation A2 V3.32021Page 3of 9Before you can report this to the Facility Manager the next day, Mrs Jackson’s daughter confronts you, because one of her friends, are friends with your colleague. She mentions that exactly what has been written by your colleague, has happened to her Mom.She is angry and threatens to sue the institution as well as you and you colleague, because you were also looking after her Mom.You feel somewhat intimidated and refer her to the Facility Manager immediately.QuestionsCase study1: Public Health Legislation and ethical principles

a)Explaintwo legal issues that are applicable in this case study. Provide the reference of relevant healthcare legislation and polices.

b)What ethical issues can you identify in this case study. Discussany 2issues in detail.

c)Analysethe ethical principles that are applicable to this case study and support them with relevant examples and your experiences.

Case study2:Health Legislation in context of Aotearoa/New Zealan

a)Critically analysewhich parts of Health Legislation of New Zealand/Aotearoa are relevant tocase study 2?

b)What recommendationswould you make to the Health Care Assistant to avoid this situation in future.

c)Evaluatein context of Aotearoa/ New Zealand, ifyour mentioned Health legislation arehelpful and enough to improve health of people and communities.Provide justifications and appropriate legaland ethical references in the context of New Zealand/Aotearoa Health Care setting