Database to log trips to A&E
 

Sorry no link, the Guardian is reporting there is to be a national database that records the times children attend A&E and out of hours services.
This is a welcome move, and will hopefully flag any child recieving regular treatment for injuries.
One worry is in light of the public announcement of the plans will abusers still use these services in fear of being caught?

..I'm not sure whether it will have much significant effect on abusers, as I would have thought that they possibly consider their 'regular visits' anyway and worry that they're being noted...for me, I would worry more about caring and loving parents who could have genuine accident prone children..and whether it would deter them from taking a child to A&E, when it's always best to have them checked out if you're in any doubt whatsoever...

..here's the Guardian link..and actually I've just skimmed through it and it's mainly focused on children already known to Social Services, so it shouldn't have any effect on genuine caring parents...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...ase-baby-peter

Thankyou for posting the link ammi,this kind of multi agency approach is just what is needed to protect vulnerable kids.
I hope it covers all children with social workers such as those in the care of the local authority.
I would have thought that this kind of system would have already existed for kids known to SS.
Maybe they have just simplified It? I just hope it works.

..yes, it does already exist within the education system Kizzy, there is a very close link with Social Services.. so I'm also surprised it hasn't also existed in the health system..it seems so obvious, quite strange..

Maybe it has something to do with patient confidentiality?
In cases like this there is a need for information to be shared, I personally wouldn't have reported on these plans though.
The less the abusers know the methods used to trap them, the less likely they are to avoid them I would have thought?

My brother and his wife were investigated for child abuse, after my nephew broke his hand in a football match witnessed by about 50 other people.

My nephew said he was OK originally, and he had movement in his hand, so they didn't take him straight to A&E. Then in the middle of the night, his pain really started so they rushed him down straight away.

The doctor, told them that they were being investigated on a packed childrens ward, in front of everyone else, including my nephew, and it was based on the fact they didn't bring him in straight away.

My brothers wife is actually an inspector for care standards, so she ripped this doctor a new one, and they are in the process of seeking compensation.

However the crazy part is, that investigation will always stay on my brother and sister-in-laws records now.

My son fractured his skull when he was 6, about 20 people that day asked me how it happened it was very intimidating.
I suppose with this system they will be made aware if there is an immediate cause for suspicion or not?...

..yes that's the problem JHC..the repercussions and emotional aspect just doesn't disappear because allegations are unfounded...there are often many innocents in these situations and not just the children involved...unfortunately, there are still too many abuse cases which aren't investigated thoroughly enough and result in tragedies....

..I'm sorry to hear about your brother and his wife..my boys were often covered in bruises...they only knew one pace to go at and it was a very quick one, which meant they fell off bikes/fell over/bumped into things etc a lot..a lot..!!...it's horrible to think that suspicions could be raised against you because you sometimes feel as though you want to have an injury checked out....

I had to take my son recently to a and e after a tumble down stairs and all the way there I was panicking that they would take him off me (neurotic but I was in shock)...the bad thing is that they barely asked me any questions then sent us home....completely missing the fact that he had a broken collarbone. I had to take him back to get it checked.

They missed a broken collar bone! omg...
Poor little man :(

Some may still use it,
and get caught.


So its a Good Thing.

i saw this on news this morning - unbelievable this is not in place - they need to go further and link it to schools -

I'm not sure if that is a good idea to make schools aware of any medical attention received. As ammi said schools and SS work very closely already, if the school needed to be made aware of something it would be them they liaise with I think.

kizzmas - something is not adding up if they can not communicate and see what is going on.

Any new initiative to record and provide data on children who are regularly brought into A&E is surely a welcome idea. This data will be able to highlight any "trends" that stand out wrt a child and would surely provide an early warning to the authorities into cases of potential child abuse. Providing the system is sensible and is used in conjunction with other Social indicators it must surely be welcomed as a useful addition in the armoury of the social services when it comes to fighting physical child abuse like the horrifying case of baby Peter...!!!

To be honest I'm surprised this wasn't already implemented

They both communicate with SS just not each other as far as I can see.
I don't think schools need to be aware of kids medical history.

I worry that people who abuse their kids will think twice about getting medical attention for them. But it seems a good idea... although I don't doubt there will be plenty of people investigated when their reasons have been genuine.

Yes I agree they might stop seeking short term medical fixes for their children with the result their children will die much sooner. Better to keep the status quo and allow these people to draw out their children's death allowing it to be a slow sad excruciating painful tortuous affair...!!!

I raised that point in my first post, why this had to become public knowledge I feel could compromise the safety of vulnerable children.
The message seems to be there is no getting away with abuse, with SS having access to all medical records it will be easier to figure out patterns of abuse.

yes it will