Menu
10/07/2012
Regulator Urges Doctors To Not fear Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
Doctors should not fear reporting suspicions about child abuse, the regulator of the profession has said.
Citing high-profile cases and a concern about complaints by parents, the General Medical Council say that doctors are being deterred from raising the alarm.
But it said new guidance it was issuing should give medics the confidence to act when they needed to.
The guidance stresses the need for doctors to consider the risk of child abuse in every case they see.
It also details when it is appropriate for doctors to share information about patients.
GMC chief executive Niall Dickson said child protection was a "complex and emotionally challenging" area of work for doctors.
"Doctors who make child protection decisions based on the guidance will be able to justify their actions if a complaint is made against them," he added.
The guidance comes after fears have been raised about the issue.
Doctors have complained that there is a "climate of fear", which has made some wary about reporting concerns.
The guidance, which builds on an existing policy published six years ago, has been produced after a two-year review.
It was prompted in part by claims that opportunities were missed to help 17-month-old Peter Connelly, or "Baby P", who died in August 2007 after months of abuse.
(H)
Citing high-profile cases and a concern about complaints by parents, the General Medical Council say that doctors are being deterred from raising the alarm.
But it said new guidance it was issuing should give medics the confidence to act when they needed to.
The guidance stresses the need for doctors to consider the risk of child abuse in every case they see.
It also details when it is appropriate for doctors to share information about patients.
GMC chief executive Niall Dickson said child protection was a "complex and emotionally challenging" area of work for doctors.
"Doctors who make child protection decisions based on the guidance will be able to justify their actions if a complaint is made against them," he added.
The guidance comes after fears have been raised about the issue.
Doctors have complained that there is a "climate of fear", which has made some wary about reporting concerns.
The guidance, which builds on an existing policy published six years ago, has been produced after a two-year review.
It was prompted in part by claims that opportunities were missed to help 17-month-old Peter Connelly, or "Baby P", who died in August 2007 after months of abuse.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 July 2012
New Guidance On Rape Charges Won By Victims Family
The family of a nurse killed by her former partner while he was on bail for raping her has won a campaign to change legal guidance, meaning murderers who commit rape can be charged for both.
New Guidance On Rape Charges Won By Victims Family
The family of a nurse killed by her former partner while he was on bail for raping her has won a campaign to change legal guidance, meaning murderers who commit rape can be charged for both.
16 June 2003
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
10 January 2006
Doctors to be trained in spotting child abuse
Doctors are to be trained in managing suspected cases of child abuse in a new scheme launched today. The course, which was produced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the NSPCC and the Advanced Life Support Group, will be the first nationwide course to train doctors to recognise and respond to possible cases of child abuse.
Doctors to be trained in spotting child abuse
Doctors are to be trained in managing suspected cases of child abuse in a new scheme launched today. The course, which was produced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the NSPCC and the Advanced Life Support Group, will be the first nationwide course to train doctors to recognise and respond to possible cases of child abuse.
08 March 2011
Doctors Fear Reporting Colleagues
Almost one in five UK doctors has had direct experience of an incompetent or poorly performing colleague in the past three years, finds a survey of professional values, published online in British Medical Journal (BMJ) Quality and Safety.
Doctors Fear Reporting Colleagues
Almost one in five UK doctors has had direct experience of an incompetent or poorly performing colleague in the past three years, finds a survey of professional values, published online in British Medical Journal (BMJ) Quality and Safety.
13 May 2014
Caroline Aherne Recovering From Lung Cancer
Former Royle Family star Caroline Aherne is recovering after undergoing treatment for lung cancer. She is also campaigning for better cancer care at her home town of Manchester. This is the third time the 50-year-old actress has battled the illness. She previously has bladder and eye cancer.
Caroline Aherne Recovering From Lung Cancer
Former Royle Family star Caroline Aherne is recovering after undergoing treatment for lung cancer. She is also campaigning for better cancer care at her home town of Manchester. This is the third time the 50-year-old actress has battled the illness. She previously has bladder and eye cancer.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Sunny intervals and scattered showers in the afternoon, these could be heavy at times. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Remaining cloudy with a few showers continuing through the evening. Some drier, clearer spells in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
