FREDA: a human rights-based approach to clinical practice

The 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.