GMC issues details of child protection consultation

Publication date:  18 Aug 2010

The General Medical Council has announced further details of its initial consultation into the role of doctors in child protection, first reported in Newshound on 8 August.

It is inviting doctors, other health professionals, social workers, police, lawyers, children, young people, families, and carers to respond by 24 September before going out to a full public consultation next year. It particularly wants to hear from people who have experience in this area, those who have examples both of what works well, and individuals with any problems or concerns.

Respondents will be asked to answer questions covering four areas:

• Consent and confidentiality issues;

• Managing any conflict in the relationships with parents and carers and the wider family;

• Working in partnership with other doctors, professionals, and agencies when a child is at risk;

• Training and support needs.

“We are keen for anyone who has been involved in child protection to share their views and experiences,” said Niall Dickson, chief executive of the council. “We want to know what is and what is not working and how matters could be improved. This will help us produce clear and effective guidance for doctors to support them when working with families or treating children who may have been neglected or abused.”

The new guidance is due to be published at the end of 2011.

• To respond to the consultation, go to: https://gmc.e-consultation.net/econsult/default.aspx.

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Related Links:
* Ms Penny Mellor, The BMJ, The GMC And Vaccine Damaged Children
Lisa C Blakemore Brown, BMJ (unpublished) / The One Click Group
* GMC Promotes Child Abductor Conspirator
Charles Pragnell Dip.S.W. , L.R.C.C Child and Family Advocate in Child Protection and Family Law matters
* Child abduction conspirator hired to advise doctors
Nina Lakhani, The Independent
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