About This Course
Legal and ethical issues within health and social care are frequently featured in media reports meaning patients, clients, and families are more assured of their rights. Underpinned by the latest developments in healthcare law and ethics this exciting new post graduate certificate will be of interest to all professionals working within the health and social care setting.
This post graduate course aims to give you a critical understanding of law and ethics as they apply to professional practice in health and social care. It will help you understand ethical theories, legal principles and precedents that underpin the provision of care, decision making and the concept of professional accountability. Care provision is often confounded by complex legal and ethical issues and as the healthcare professional is duty bound to act within the limits of the law, their professional code of practice and engage in best interest decision making which can be subjective, as different people have divergent views of what is ethically correct. This includes the provision of life extending treatments within limited healthcare budgets and competing resources, genetic testing for life limiting conditions, organ donation, withdrawing and withholding treatments, artificial nutrition and hydration, capacity and decision-making powers and last, but not least, euthanasia.
If you are interested in learning more about the professional and legal /ethical responsibilities of your role and want to develop knowledge which will support robust decision making then this programme is for you. The programme will allow students to consider legal and ethical issues from their areas of practice and enable them to develop their professional, clinical or leadership roles in modern healthcare services and settings.
Why study with the School of Healthcare Sciences?
If you haven't already do have a look at this page for a list of reasons that we think mean that if you are interested in a if you are interested in a PG Cert in Legal & Ethical Concepts in Healthcare and Social Care you should consider studying with us.
Research Opportunities
The academics involved with this PG Cert have extensive links with external bodies, companies and the 3rd sector, which are fully utilised in ensuring that the modules are relevant to the modern work and research environment graduates will enter. They are also all experienced Nurse practioners and healthcare sciences researchers who still have active links to the local NHS trust ensuring that modern clinical practice is embedded within the programme.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Legal and ethical principles are essential for protecting both the patient and the healthcare professional. This programme offers registered healthcare professionals an opportunity to study at a postgraduate level and build on the knowledge gained during pre-registration programmes. Students will be able to select an optional module which has good fit with their area of practice.
Developed in consultation with the local health board it provides registered professionals working in a healthcare and social care environment an opportunity to top up their qualifications with a post graduate certificate. As well as developing knowledge of the legal and ethical issues related to legal and ethical decision making it will also provide lifelong learning skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and the use and of evidence based practice.
Core Modules:
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Health and Social Care
- Advancing Professional Knowledge
Optional Modules include:
- Legal and Ethical Issues; End of Life
- Legal and Ethical Issues; Beginning of Life
- Accountability in Health and Social
Research Thesis
The programme is delivered via a blended learning approach which includes an innovative mix of on-line and face to face teaching, discussion forums, and on-line learning material.
Different assessment strategies will be used to help you apply your learning to real-life practice.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Legal and Ethical Concepts in Healthcare and Social Care Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Entry Requirements
Students must be registered healthcare professionals who also have a single or joint honours degree in Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational/speech & language therapy, physiotherapy, Medicine/Dentistry, Radiography, and other Health or Social Science subjects, normally with a minimum degree class of 2(2) or equivalent.
International Students
This course is part-time so not open to overseas (non-EU) students.
Admissions to the programme are made on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. Applications are made using Bangor’s online application system.
Careers
Our employability record is excellent and recently have achieved 100% employment rates from our Nursing, Midwifery and Radiography programmes. The programme will enable the individual to develop graduate, lifelong learning skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and the use and of evidence based practice to enhance current professional and academic skills; this in turn will develop transferable skills which will enhance the employability of the registered professional overall.
Application
If you have any questions about entry requirements, how to apply or the course you are interested in please do not hesitate to contact Susan Metcalfe on +44 (0)1248 383112 or by emailing s.metcalfe@bangor.ac.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
