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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to nurses about reporting to the police cases where, in the course of their duty, a nurse strongly suspects a child of being a victim of sexual abuse. [151355] Mr. Hutton: Nurses are well placed to identify when a child may be suffering, or be at risk of significant harm. Like any other professional, a nurse must take appropriate action in accordance with locally agreed procedures, if he or she believes that a child is at such risk. This may involve a referral to local child protection services, which may include the police who then enquire as appropriate into the circumstances of the case. The "Working Together to Safeguard Children" guidance, published by the Government in 1999, and "Child Protection--Guidance for Senior Nurses, Health Visitors and Midwives and their Managers", a report of the Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee, published in 1997, together set out in detail the crucial role that nurses play in child protection. We are currently developing supplementary guidance to "Working Together" which will focus on the role of all health professionals in child protection.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

151355; 363 c619-21W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Children Codes of practice Abuse Patients Protection Nurses Offences against children Sexual offences

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk