The safeguarding of children, vulnerable adults, and of all of our patients in general is of vital importance to the Practice. policies are in place to ensure that staff are aware of the rights of their patients, that they are able to recognise the signs of abuse, and that they are empowered to act on their suspicions if necessary to ensure the wellbeing of our patients. 

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Child Safeguarding Policy

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Under the Children Act 2004, all of society are accountable for the responsibility of safeguarding children. As healthcare providers, we have a special responsibility to ensure that children under our care are healthy and safe from harm. There are measures in place to ensure that our staff have the necessary knowledge to recognise and acknowledge risk to children and that they are empowered to act, where necessary, to keep children from coming to harm. 

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Where the safeguarding of children is concerned, the following legislation has been taken into account and policy adjusted accordingly:

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• Adoption and Children Act 2002 

• The Children Act 1989 

• The Children Act 2004 

• The Protection of Children Act 1999 

• The Human Rights Act 1998 

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified by UK Government in 1991).  

• The Data Protection Act 1998 (UK wide)

• Sexual Offences Act 2003  

• NICE CG89 Child Maltreatment Guidance 2009 

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013  

• General Medical Council (2012) Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors.

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Under the GMC Document "‘Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors, (2012)", it is the responsibility of all doctors to record any concerns which they may have about the wellbeing of children under their care, including minor concerns, as well as the details of any action taken, information which may have been shared, and decisions made based on this information. GPs and other healthcare professionals also have a statutory duty under the above legislation to cooperate with other organisations where the wellbeing of children is concerned. 

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Although the confidentiality of our patients is of the highest priority, it may be necessary to share information with either a social care service or with the London Safeguarding Children Board where children are identified as at risk of harm. 

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Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

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Vulnerable adults are defined as individuals who are:

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• 18 or over. 

• Receiving or in need of community care services due to age, disability, or illness.

• Unable to protect themselves from exploitation or unable to take care of themselves.

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The practice has policies in place to ensure that any adult who is identified as at risk of harm is protected. These policies are underpinned by the belief that it is the right of all people to live free from abuse and coercion, and that it is vital that those who are at risk of harm are safeguarded and have their dignity upheld. 

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Wherever a risk is identified, the welfare of the patient is the highest priority. Where possible, the Practice will seek the consent of the concerned party before taking any further action, with due regard to the capacity of the patient in question to give their full consent.