The government has accepted recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) on protecting human rights in health and social care settings. A formal response has been published following concerns about the protection of human rights in care settings which include the right to life (Article 2) and the right to be free from torture and degrading treatment (Article 3).
The government accepts recommendations to protect rights
The JCHR report (2022) made several recommendations including the provision of medical and personal care, ongoing concerns about visiting arrangements, the complaints process for when things go wrong and the coverage of the protections of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA).
In its response the government has acknowledged the importance of timely responses by the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is responsible for registering health and adult social care service providers in England and to check that standards are met.
The government has also accepted the Joint Committee’s recommendation that DNACPR (do not attempt resuscitation) decisions and ensuring guidance on DNACPR decisions should be clear and properly understood by all health and social care professionals, as well as the patients involved.
The response also accepts recommendations that the CQC must continue to seek assurances that the people receiving care are placed at the centre of DNACPR notices in a way that protects their human rights.
Recently, in his New Year’s address, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, urged the government to take action to fix the country’s “broken” social care system.
“We know our care system is broken: but it doesn’t have to be. We can rise to the challenge of fixing it. That means action from all of us; you, me, families, communities and government,” he said.
