As a prospective social welfare practitioner, how do you plan to incorporate law into your daily work?

Social policy is a vast field that encompasses the management, evaluation, financing, and implementation of various services, including social security, education, housing, employment, and health. Within this broad area lies health policy, which focuses on the implementation and evaluation of health services within a specific context.

Upon completing my Social Policy degree, I hope to specialize in social welfare, particularly in the healthcare sector. In this essay, I will utilize a case study to illustrate the integration of law principles in social welfare practice.

Consider an elderly woman suffering from osteoporosis, a medical condition that weakens bones. Although she takes the required medication, she feels that she should do more to alleviate her condition. Upon seeing an advert on television about a new Pilates therapeutic service at Mater Dei hospital, the woman signs up, hoping it will help her condition. With the guidance of a team of healthcare professionals, including a physiotherapist, a social worker, and a Pilates instructor, the woman experiences slight improvement after each session.

This case exemplifies the practical implementation of Social Policy, with the Pilates service's realization being the most significant element. Additionally, promotion and management are key terms in social policy, as the service is advertised on television and a team of experts is formed to treat the woman, with a social policy professional overseeing her care. The question, however, is how law integrates into all of this.

The Health Act (2013) requires the Department of Policy for Health to be established to advise and coordinate various strategic plans, develop policies, and assess outcomes for sustainability. This implies that policy formation, such as the Pilates service provision in public hospitals, is governed by law, requiring the Health Minister and policy officers to work together to enhance the healthcare sector. Different steps must be taken to achieve the ultimate success of this plan, including planning an organization towards the Pilates service for elderly patients, which must be approved by the state, and funding, which must be protected by law.

Another crucial law to consider is the Constitution of Malta (1964), specifically Article 32, which lists the Fundamental Human Rights. Clause A is of particular importance in this essay as it guarantees the right to life, liberty, security of the person, enjoyment of property, and protection of the law—an essential component for healthcare services' implementation in Malta. Although the existence of these rights is a legal reality, they still exist as a moral ideal, which is independent of the law. This means that the 66-year-old elderly woman has the liberty to make her own health choices without fear of infringement on her rights.

In conclusion, as a future social welfare practitioner in the healthcare sector, law plays a fundamental role in daily practice. It is essential to incorporate legal principles into social policy formation, service provision, and policy evaluation for sustainability and better healthcare outcomes.

As a prospective social policy expert, my goal is to propose a new service in Malta to improve the quality of life for elderly patients with osteoporosis. To achieve this, I would conduct in-depth research on various healthcare centers to identify what they currently offer, specifically in regards to this condition. This initial proposal, known as the Green Paper, would form the basis for creating a law or policy.

With this information, I would create a proposal detailing the essential components necessary to establish a team that focuses on assessing difficulties faced by older patients. This team would work on managing the healthcare system and performing routine checks, among other responsibilities. This proposal, known as the White Paper, would be presented to the Health Minister for review to determine if it is feasible to proceed with the project on a national level. Assuming it is possible, we would begin working on creating a law to safeguard this service, known as a Bill.

Once the Bill is created, the lawmaking process would begin. I would present the title and content of the proposed law to Parliament, the First Reading. During the Second Reading, I would speak in Parliament to clarify the details of the proposed law. The Committee of Affairs would evaluate my speech and proposal to identify any areas of ambiguity and to make it more specific by introducing clauses. From there, there would be a vote for each clause. In the final stage, the Third Reading, the entire law would be read, and if two-thirds of Parliament agrees, it would be passed. Once the President signs the law, it would be published in the government gazette and become law.

My ultimate goal as a social welfare practitioner is to create laws that balance law and economics to create people-centric policies resulting in new healthcare services. These policies will benefit both individuals and society at large and improve health outcomes. A healthy society is necessary as without good health, education and employment opportunities are impossible. Therefore, focusing on health policy is vital as it creates a foundation for a better future.

Sources:

Health Act, Legislation Malta, Part II (Article 4) (2013), https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/528/eng

Constitution of Malta, Legislation Malta, Chapter IV (Article 32) (1964), https://legislation.mt/eli/const/eng

Aresomena, G., (2014), Introduction to Law (J. Hage, B. Akkermans, Ed.). Springer International Publishing Switzerland

Finnis, J. (2011). Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford University Press.