Drawing attention to potential conflicts

Sometimes, there may be conflicts between statutory frameworks and the values and principles of good practice. In such cases, you may need to draw attention to the conflict in national and/or local forums.

We should be upfront and honest about any conflicts and dilemmas because this can help others to understand the challenges we are facing. It can also help to increase public awareness of the issues. In addition, we may get support and advice about dealing with such conflicts and may be able to work in partnership with others to identify or innovate solutions.

For example, Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires that care providers have sufficient levels of staffing, however, you may be finding the recruitment of suitable staff members to be challenging. By raising the issue with your local authority they may be able to support you in your recruitment process and refer you to agencies that could backfill whilst new staff are being recruited and trained. Because recruitment of care staff is also a big issue on a national scale, you may also decide to draw attention to it in national forums.

National forums can include:

• Health Education England
• Skills for Care/Skills for Health
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Local forums can include:

• Local Authority Groups
• Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
• Local Registered Managers Meetings