Doctors given new guidance on child abuse

The General Medical Council (GMC) said the guidance was developed following worries in parts of the profession that high profile cases and fear of complaints from parents were deterring some doctors from working in the area, and deterring other doctors from raising child protection concerns.

The guidance states: “It is vital that all doctors have the confidence to act if they believe that a child or young person may be being abused or neglected.

“Taking action will be justified, even if it turns out that the child or young person is not at risk of, or suffering, abuse or neglect, as long as the concerns are honestly held and reasonable, and the doctor takes action through appropriate channels.”

Called Protecting Children And Young People: The Responsibilities Of All Doctors, the GMC said the new guidance had come about following the efforts of a two-year working group chaired by senior family judge the Rt Hon Lord Justice Thorpe.

It will be issued to more than 230,000 doctors across the country, and says: “If doctors are treating an adult patient, they must consider whether the patient poses a risk to children or young people.

“Doctors must be able to identify risk factors in their environment that might raise concerns about abuse or neglect.”

Support should be given to doctors who have worries about a child or young person and every Trust will have a named or designated professional or lead clinician (Scotland), and all doctors should know who they can turn to if they need advice.

It also says that in sharing concerns about possible abuse or neglect, doctors must remember that they work within a wider team of professionals.

Advice is also included for doctors on information sharing, working in partnership with other agencies, consent for child protection examinations and acting as a witness in court.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: “Child protection is a complex and emotionally challenging area of practice for any professional, and doctors in particular can find themselves having to make difficult and delicate judgments in a charged atmosphere. The decisions made or not made as a result can have far-reaching consequences.

“We are clear though that doctors must raise their concerns if they believe a child or young person may be at risk of abuse or neglect – and this applies whether or not the child is their patient. They also need to know who to contact for advice if they do have any concerns.

Dr Amanda Thomas, child protection officer at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, welcomed the new guidance and said it provided a valuable framework for doctors.

She added: “We’re pleased to see that it addresses all doctors – because whether they have a specific safeguarding role or not, every doctor has a responsibility to protect children.”