Doctors have a duty to protect children from abuse, new guidance from the GMC confirms.
Doctors who suspect children are being abused or neglected must tell parents and the young people themselves as soon as possible about their concerns and what action they will take.
The new guidance, developed by a working group chaired by Lord Justice Thorpe, seeks to set clear standards for all doctors, including those who do not routinely treat children. It says doctors have a duty to protect children even when they are only treating adults.
Every doctor should be able to spot signs that a child could be at risk at an early stage, for example if a parent misuses drugs or alcohol.
The group was set up following concerns by paediatricians and others involved in child protection about the difficulties of working in this area. These include knowing when to share confidential information and the risk of complaints being made by parents about the doctor’s decisions.
Evidence presented to the group from both doctors and parents suggested that open and early communication can help reduce the distress and confusion that parents and children often experience after concerns are raised.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: “We recognise that taking action to protect children from abuse can be challenging and distressing for everyone involved. This is a complex area of practice, but we believe this new guidance will provide greater clarity about what doctors need to do to protect children, even if they are uncertain about the risks involved. We hope it will also help give doctors confidence to make these extremely difficult decisions.”
A foreword to the guidance reassures doctors that when they act reasonably in response to concerns about abuse or neglect, following the principles in this guidance, they will not be subject to censure by the GMC.
Key issues emerging during the development of the guidance included the importance of working closely and effectively with other professionals involved in child protection and the benefits of good and constructive communication with parents and carers. The guidance covers these and other areas including giving evidence in court, communicating with children and parents and sharing confidential information.
Dr Amanda Thomas, officer for child protection at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “Spotting signs of child abuse and neglect is a complex and difficult field. This new guidance is fundamental for all medical staff to protect children and young people from harm.
“We have worked very closely with the GMC on this as the first duty of a paediatrician is to the child or young person. There is no doubt that these standards will help to keep children and young people safe and the consultation is a real chance to improve their medical care.”
Dr Nick Clements, head of medical services of MPS, added: “We have seen doctors concerned and potentially confused about when they should disclose information to other agencies, and how much information they should provide. The new GMC guidance is very helpful in this regard, and also provides further clarification about other important issues, such as where to store case conference records, and what information to provide to families about any investigation process.”
The GMC has also published analysis of the involvement of paediatricians in the GMC’s fitness to practise procedures which shows that paediatricians are no more likely than other doctors to have their cases referred to a public hearing.
Over a five year period, paediatricians received proportionately fewer complaints on average than other specialties including general practice and surgery. The analysis also indicates that complaints about paediatricians are more likely to be investigated, but are also more likely to be closed following an investigation with no further action than complaints about other doctors. This may be because paediatricians can be involved in contentious areas of practice that raise serious concerns, which may not always be borne out on investigation.
Since April 2006, the GMC has held 15 fitness-to-practise hearings involving paediatricians and only two were concerned with paediatricians involved in child protection.
The regulator controversially struck off both professors Southall and Meadow for their roles in fabricated and induced illness cases, before they were re-instated by the high court. Southall’s long-running case with the GMC is ongoing.
The consultation runs to 16 October 2011.
