Morals or ethics: which should you rely on?

Healthcare assistants are increasingly being made aware of the responsibility and accountability which they hold when dealing with patients and family. During interactions with patients and family it is vital that decisions made and actions taken are based on sound decision making and not on ritualism. The application of ethical principles which assist in decisions making when caring for patients is broken down in this article to allow real application of ethics in everyday practice. Knowledge of the effect of morals on everyday decisions made within interactions with patients and clients is essential in order to deliver the best patient-centred care possible.