These children will be admitted under the orthopaedic consultant on call. If physical abuse or neglect is suspected, and the process below has not been started already by ED, then the admitting orthopaedic registrar will:
- Discuss with the orthopaedic consultant on call
- Carry out a general examination of the child to ensure that there are no other significant injuries requiring immediate medical treatment
- Document concerns in the medical notes and explain to the parents / carers the concern that has been raised and that referrals will be made to both Social work and the Child Protection service
- Make a telephone referral to Social Work (see appendix 1) – clearly explain concern
- Complete and e-mail a notification of concern (NOC) eform available on Portal (see appendix 2)
- Make a referral to the Child Protection Service
- Working hours (Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00) telephone (#86605) to the child protection advice line. Initial discussion will be with a child protection advisor who will discuss with the consultant on for CPS
- Mon-Fri 17:00-22:00h and Sat/Sun 09:00-22:00h: direct to child protection consultant via switchboard after discussion with the orthopaedic consultant on call
- 22:00-09:00h acute medical registrar (ext 84678) in the first instance (or direct to child protection consultant at the discretion of the orthopaedic consultant on call)
The Social Work referral needs to be made as soon as possible and should not wait for the next working day irrespective of the fact that the child is getting admitted. It is important to provide social work with information around home circumstances including whether there are any other children present at home.
Early referral to Child Protection is also useful (i.e. start of a working day) as this will allow the Child Protection Service to start to gather and share information early.