RCGP Statement on NICE Guidance ‘When to Suspect Child
Maltreatment’
22nd July 2009
Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal
College of General Practitioners:
“GPs play an important role in helping
children we suspect have been, or consider to have been,
maltreated. This guidance from NICE complements the
RCGP/NSPCC toolkit for GPs Safeguarding Children and Young
People which is being used as part of the GP training
curriculum. We have also produced an e-learning session on domestic
violence with the RCPCH and include child protection in the annual
continuing professional development evidence of the RCGP submission
programme.
“Child maltreatment can include neglect and
emotional abuse as well as sexual and physical abuse, and often has
long lasting effects into adulthood.
“The GP’s role is crucial. We are often
the first port of call for children and their families.
Maltreatment of children is an important problem and this
guidance is helpful because it can often be extremely difficult for
the GP to make the necessary decisions.
“We know that child maltreatment has been
under-diagnosed in the past and all new GPs now routinely receive
training in this area to recognise the possible presentations and
understand how to deal with them. Sometimes the action we
take can be straightforward; sometimes it can be much more
difficult.
“The RCGP is committed to playing an important
role in improving standards in primary care. We welcome this
guidance.”