CONFERENCE 2007 FEPI Placing Patient First Effective Nursing Regulation across Europe

1. CONFERENCE 2007 FEPI Placing Patient First Effective Nursing Regulation across Europe CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR EUROPEAN NURSING “Protecting the public and ensuring patient safety” Prof. Máximo A. González Jurado. RN, PhD

2. CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR EUROPEAN NURSING Prof. Máximo A. González Jurado. RN, PhD • Degree in Nursing • Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology • Specialized nurse in Medical and Surgical Care • Doctor’s Degree at the Madrid Complutense University • Full professor at the Madrid Complutense University • President of the Spanish General Nursing Council • Vice-President of the European Federation of Nursing Regulators (FEPI) • Former Vice-President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN)

3. Table of contents I. Reasons and objectives of this FEPI initiative Main references of the new code II. III. Working methodology IV. Key principles V. Future actions

4. Table of contents I. Reasons and objectives of this FEPI initiative II. Main references of the new code III. Working methodology IV. Key principles V. Future actions

5. Reasons for the initiative (I) • To help ensure the safety and protection of all those receiving nursing care throughout Europe in the framework of free circulation • To harmonize the principles of quality and equity when providing nursing care throughout Europe

6. Reasons for the initiative (II) • To guide National Regulatory Bodies on the principles and values that shall inspire their National Codes of Ethics and Conduct • To inform patients and nurses about our common rules of ethics and conduct that European nurses shall respect

7. Table of contents I. Reasons and objectives of this FEPI initiative II. Main references of the new code III. Working methodology IV. Key principles V. Future actions

8. Main references • European directives • Legislation on Patients Rights • Legislation on Human Rights • CEPLIS common values

9. Table of contents I. Reasons and objectives of this FEPI initiative II. Main references f the new code III. Working methodology IV. Key principles V. Future actions

10. Methodology • FEPI working group • Consultation process with European regulatory bodies • Consultation process with European patients’ organizations • Consultation process with other health professionals • Public consultation process through FEPI website

11. Methodology: Working Group President: Dr. Máximo González (Spain) Rapporteur: Mrs. Sandra Arthur (United Kingdom) Members: Mr. Alessandro Stievano (Italy) Prof. Sonja Kalauz (Croacia) Dr. Christiana Kouta (Cyprus) Mrs. Lucilia Nunes (Portugal) Dr. Theodoros Koutroubas (Belgium) Dr. Katerina Koliva (Belgium) Mrs. Mª. Teresa Monzón (Spain) Mr. Francisco Corpas Arce (Spain) Dr. Javier Sánchez Caro (Spain) Mr. Rafael Lletget (Spain) Dr. Rafael Pellicer (Spain) Mrs. Judith Foley (Ireland) Mrs. Liliana Lordache (Rumania) Mrs. Christina Mackenzie (United Kingdom) Mrs. Mireille Malafa (France)

12. Methodology: Working Phases • Analysis of the common values for the liberal professions (CEPLIS) • Identifying the key principles for the new European code • Drafting and reviews • Endorsement of the text by FEPI General Assembly • Public hearing procedure • Presentation at FEPI Conference (Dubrovnik)

13. Table of contents I. Reasons and objectives of this FEPI initiative II. Main references of the new code III. Working methodology IV. Key principles V. Future actions

14. Key principles QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE Patients can rely on the fact that National Nursing Regulatory Bodies have systems in place aimed at defining and supervising nursing education contents, regulations, as well as the quality of both education and practice required to be educated as a nurse and to continue practicing as such.

15. Key principles CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Patients have the right to expect that nurses maintain their competence throughout their professional career.

16. Key principles HUMAN RIGHTS Patients have the right to human dignity, which is the principle at the basis of human rights. Human rights have the highest level of importance in this Code and all relevant human rights legislation applies, irrespective of nationality or country specific legislation.

17. Key principles HUMAN RIGHTS Patients have the right to be protected by their nurse and never be the victim of acts of torture, cruelty, abuse or other forms of inhumane or degrading treatment by a nurse.

18. Key principles EQUITABLE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE Patients have the right to receive fair and equal access to quality healthcare and treatment, according to their needs.

19. Key principles HONESTY AND INTEGRITY Patients have the right to expect that their nurse is honest and trustworthy, and will care for them with integrity.

20. Key principles RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS Patients have the right to expect that nurses will fulfill their duties, including relationships with them and others, to a consistent standard and ethos.

21. Key principles INFORMATION Patients have the right to expect that nurses will communicate with them and provide information and advice in an appropriate, clear and user-friendly manner.

22. Key principles INFORMED CONSENT • Patients have the right to self-determination and free will and this includes the promotion and protection of their personal autonomy. • Patients have the right to decide whether or not to accept nursing care or to refuse to receive information, advice or care and that the nurse will respect this decision.

23. Key principles CONFIDENCIALITY Patients have the right to expect that any information they disclose is confidential between themselves and their nurses.

24. Key principles CONFLICT WITH MORAL AND ETHICAL BELIEFS In the event of conflict caused by deep moral, ethical or other beliefs arising from a request for nursing services, a nurse is encouraged to find a solution through dialogue with relevant parties such as the patient, employer, regulatory body or professional organisation.

25. Key principles DELEGATION TO AND SUPERVISION OF STAFF • Patients have the right to expect that anyone providing nursing care to them is appropriately trained and competent to provide that care. • It is the responsibility of the nursing regulatory body to define the scope of delegation. • Nurses retain the ultimate accountability should they delegate tasks to another.

26. Key principles PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE Patients have the right to expect that any nurse caring for them will be suitably insured in the event of any problems.

27. Key principles COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT Patients have the right to expect high quality care from nurses through compliance with their code of ethics and conduct and all relevant legislation.

28. Glossary of terms A glossary defines 56 terms included in the Code, which may give cause for concern or misunderstanding to readers from different countries.

29. Table of contents I. Reasons and objectives of this FEPI initiative II. Main references of the new code III. Working references IV. Key principles V. Future actions

30. Future actions • Presentation of the Code to the European Commission and to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) • Publication in the different languages of the countries of Regulatory Bodies • Adaptation of National Codes • Periodical reviews and updating

31. “Proceeding honestly in favour of the dignity of mankind is the most important commitment for our short journey in this world”. René Gerónimo Favaloro