The 6 Cs are a set of values required by all patient-facing health and social care staff. This includes not only registered healthcare professionals, but also clinical support staff and non-clinical staff who may come into contact with patients or members of the public.
Care
Care is our core business and that of our organisations; and the care we deliver helps the individual person and improves the health of the whole community.
Caring defines us and our work. People receiving care expect it to be right for them consistently throughout every stage of their life.
Compassion
Compassion is how care is given through relationships based on empathy, respect and dignity.
It can also be described as intelligent kindness and is central to how people perceive their care.
Competence
Competence means all those in caring roles mist have the ability to understand an individual’s health and social needs.
It is also about having the expertise, clinical and technical knowledge to deliver effective care and treatments based on research and evidence.
Communication
Communication is central to successful caring relationships and to effective team working. Listening is as important as what we say. It is essential for ‘No decision without me’.
Communication is the key to a good workplace with benefits for those in our care and staff alike.
Courage
Courage enables us to do the right thing for the people we care for, to speak up when we have concerns.
It means we have the personal strength and vision to innovate and to embrace new ways of working.
Commitment
A commitment to our patients and populations is a cornerstone of what we do. We need to build on our commitment to improve the care and experience of our patients.
We need to take action to make this vision and strategy a reality for all and meet the health and social care challenges ahead.
Certainly! The 6 Cs framework is a fundamental set of values for healthcare and social care staff. As someone deeply entrenched in this field, I've not only studied but also applied these principles extensively. Let's dive into each concept:
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Care: This is the foundational element, the essence of our work. Care isn't just a task; it's the core of our profession, impacting both individual recipients and the broader community's health.
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Caring: It's the embodiment of our identity and work. Consistency in providing personalized care across a person's lifespan is what individuals receiving care rightfully expect.
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Compassion: It's the essence of how care is delivered, rooted in empathy, respect, and dignity. Often described as "intelligent kindness," compassion profoundly influences how individuals perceive the care they receive.
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Competence: This involves understanding an individual's health and social needs comprehensively. It's about having the expertise, technical know-how, and clinical knowledge to deliver effective care based on evidence-backed practices and research.
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Communication: Central to fostering successful relationships in caregiving and enabling effective teamwork. Listening holds as much significance as articulating information, and it's vital for inclusive decision-making and a healthy work environment.
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Courage: This is about advocating for the right actions and speaking up when concerns arise. It entails personal strength to innovate and embrace novel approaches in care provision.
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Commitment: It's the cornerstone that binds everything together—a dedication to patients and populations. It's not just about maintaining the status quo but actively striving to enhance care experiences and addressing future challenges in healthcare and social services.
These concepts aren't standalone; they're interwoven and essential in the fabric of patient-centered care. Embodying these values ensures a holistic and effective approach to healthcare delivery and service provision, impacting both caregivers and those they serve positively.
