FREDA – a human rights-based approach to clinical practice

by Dr Martin Curtice, Dr Richard Symonds and Dr Tim Exworthy

FREDA – a human rights-based approach to clinical practiceThe concept of a human rights-based approach to clinical practice is relatively new. The Department of Health (2008b) has enunciated that:

 

‘a human rights based approach is one where the realisation of human rights principles is a central aim in policy and planning, where staff and patients are empowered and involved in achieving these, where accountability is clear and the most vulnerable groups are prioritised.’

 

There are five core values that underpin the approach:

 

  • Fairness
  • Respect
  • Equality                
  • Dignity
  • Autonomy.

 

This module focuses on these core values, illustrating their diverse use in the clinical setting.

 

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In the first module in this series, Human rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 – implications for psychiatrists, we looked at issues and principles from the HRA 1998 and how these can be used in daily clinical practice.

 

This module is based upon a paper accepted by the Psychiatric Bulletin entitled ‘FREDA: principles for a human rights-based approach to healthcare’ (Curtice & Exworthy, 2009).
 

If you like this module, you may also be interested in:

 

Human rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 – implications for psychiatrists by Dr Martin Curtice and Dr Richard Symonds

 

Advance decisions in psychiatry by Dr Lisa Williams and Dr John Rigby)

 

Advance directives in Ireland by Dr Joan Cunningham

 

Ethical and legal challenges within children's mental health care: Part 1 and Part 2 by Dr Moli Paul

 

The Mental Capacity Act, 2005 Module 1 and Module 2 by Prof A Holland
 

 

 

 

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