Citation

Mok J, Forbes F, McBride J, Phillips J, Squires T. Health Bull. (Edinb.) 1997; 55(5): 326-330.

Affiliation

Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh EH9 1TS.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Scottish Home and Health Department)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11769113

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the process involved in cases of suspected child abuse within a children's NHS Trust, 6 months after implementation of new inter-agency Child Protection guidelines. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of case records. SETTING: Four departments within a combined child health trust in Edinburgh. MAIN MEASURES: Review of practice within each department, according to the Inter-Agency guidelines. RESULTS: No standard procedure existed for the child protection process prior to the guidelines. In the first 6 months following implementation of the guidelines, a substantial increase in workload was experienced by community paediatricians. Medical examinations were better co-ordinated, with fewer children receiving repeated, intrusive examinations. However, note keeping was deficient, as 3% of referrals did not appear to be recorded in the case notes. Cross-referencing between departments was variable, with 81% of cases referred to Community Child Health not recorded in hospital case notes. CONCLUSIONS: The Inter-Agency guidelines have resulted in better coordination of the early referral stages. Deficiencies highlighted in this audit are due to record keeping and lack of liaison between departments within a combined children's trust.

Language: en