This programme is open to health and social care professionals and reflects service user safety as a concern across complex, fast moving and pressurised environments (World Health Organisation 2011). The minor award consists of two 5 credit modules: Ethical Judgement in Professional Leadership and Quality Improvement and Governance in Health & Social Care. Collectively, these two modules critically explore contemporary inter-professional working and communication as they influence service-user safety. Specific topics include professional accountability; moral responsibility; legal, professional and ethical aspects of the management of adverse events; promoting quality services by risk management; open disclosure policies; protecting and promoting rights of groups with specific needs; moral theory, ethical decision making, whistle blower protection and national regulation for safer, quality-assured health and social care.
This programme responds to service needs to implement the service-user safety agenda in accordance with national policy. The World Health Organisation has acknowledged that the education and training of healthcare professionals has "been underused and undervalued as a vital tool for addressing the challenges of achieving improved patient safety". This programme utilises the World Health Organisation Patient Safety Curriculum Guide to provide a growing awareness and recognition of service-user safety in health and social care.