Information on Cultural differences of patients

Introduction

Britain is a diverse society and therefore a compassionate and all embracing response from our health services is required. If users are to receive care, which is appropriate and sensitive, then staff need to recognise and take account of cultural, religious and spiritual aspects of people’s lives.

Most people become anxious when they are in need of health care, but for those who are not familiar with the way things happen in hospitals, or do not speak the same language as those trying to care for them, it can be a bewildering and frightening time. A person may feel very isolated and misunderstood. The guiding questions in giving sensitive care are:-

• What would you most like the staff caring for you to know about you?
• What would you most like them to understand?

This resource pack attempts to address some of the main areas that people of various cultures will be concerned about:

• Food
• Modesty
• Clothing/jewellery
• Hygiene
• Family planning
• Childbirth
• Blood transfusions
• Care of the dying/death
• Post mortems
• Organ transplantation

These pages are only intended as guidelines and the most important thing, always, is to ask the individual or the family what it is that they need and what they want the staff to be aware of. Irrespective of whether or not a person belongs to a religious or cultural group they will have preferences and needs which are individual and personal. The individual has a right to have these wishes respected whilst they are in hospital. There is no reason why an individual patient cannot have anything they want, so long as it is possible and does not impose excessively on the rights of others.

The information about each of the faiths listed in this pack has purposely been kept brief, but should you require any further help or information, there are local and national contact points listed in the reference section.

It is worth remembering that a person’s beliefs about health and illness will influence their behaviour when they are ill and also their attitude towards their treatment. Such beliefs arise out of a person’s cultural background and religion.  An attempt to understand why this particular person feels as they do, not only conveys respect for the individual and enhances the staff-patient relationship, it also enables the patient to benefit from the medical treatment and care being offered.

General Considerations - All Patients

All patients should be treated equally, regardless of race, colour or creed, and their wishes respected. All people should have free access to such religious ministrations as they desire, together with the opportunity to practise their religion whilst in hospital, as far as possible. The following points will help staff meet these requirements.

1. Each ward and department should formulate its own standard statement, which should be included in this document and audited regularly.
2. Complete all admission documentation accurately and in full, including documentation of the patient's religious beliefs. Be sensitive, and ask the patient and their family what is important to them. Offer contact with the Chaplains’ department, who will find an appropriate religious leader.
3. Document, when necessary, any requests to be treated by only male or female staff, and bring this request to the attention of appropriate staff.
4. If the patient moves to another ward, goes to theatre or is transferred to another hospital within the Trust, ensure that all relevant information and requests are communicated to the staff who will be looking after the patient.
5. Be aware of and respect the patient's dress requirements as decreed by their faith. This is to include the wearing of religious jewellery.
6. Respect dietary requirements. In order that the appropriate dietary requirements are provided for the patient as quickly as possible, it is important to contact the Hotel Services Department upon admission to arrange this. (If the admission is planned, this may even be arranged beforehand.) Hotel Services are willing to visit any patient in order to discuss their particular dietary needs.
7. Be aware that some patients will want to fast, (i.e. abstain from food for religious reasons) at certain times. Endeavour to make this possible by making the necessary arrangements for food to be available before or after the hours of fasting.
8. Be aware of the personal wishes of a patient who may be dying and consult relatives about what they would wish to happen.
9. Ensure that no outward signs of Christianity are visible in the presence of non-Christians, as this may cause offence. In this respect, it may be necessary to contact the mortuary staff and inform them that the deceased was not of the Christian tradition and so to remove any overtly Christian artefacts from the viewing room, so that sensitivity is shown to relatives.
10. Offer the services of the chaplain or other religious leader to bereaved relatives and friends if it is appropriate.
11. Respect privacy at all times. On occasions it will be necessary to provide the patient with more privacy so that conversations cannot be overheard by others. This will enable the patient to be undisturbed and feel more comfortable when speaking confidentially with health care staff, their relatives, friends, or when praying
12. Staff should aim to be well informed with regard to the spiritual needs of their patients and to show sensitivity towards the individual in this respect.   Such an attitude will aid the build up of mutual trust and understanding, which in turn is conducive to good health care.