News

A set of radical new proposals for the protection of children cared for by the NHS in Wales was unveiled in response to allegations made by former patients of a child and adolescent mental health unit to the North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry, writes Alex Dobson.

The Carlile Review, commissioned two years ago by the Welsh Assembly, makes 150 recommendations aimed at safeguarding young people, and protecting them from abuse whenever they come into contact with health services.

The wide-ranging recommendations include a new all-Wales NHS child protection organisation, two new charters for children, a new director of children's healthcare services, and medical access to child protection registers. The report also says there is an urgent need to review the adequacy of therapeutic services in the principality for those who have suffered abuse.

The report warns that shortages of staff could increase the vulnerability of children to abuse.

"There are numerous reasons why children may be vulnerable to abuse within the NHS including staff shortages, shortage of facilities, and poor employment practice,'' it says.

Within 12 months, there should be a set of Welsh national child protection documents that contain standards and protocols for every NHS setting, and clear lines of communication between designated liaison officers in each health organisation and the Children's Commissioner for Wales, the report says.

The review, chaired by Lord Carlile QC, also recommends the setting up of a system of children's advocates, as well as complaints officers in each NHS trust. There would also be new safeguards for whistleblowers.

The All-Wales NHS child protection service would be accountable to the Welsh Assembly, and would be expected to prepare an annual report on child protection.

On access to records, the report says: "We recommend that NHS Direct Wales should be enabled to gain access to local authority child protection registers. Subject to secure password safeguards, accident and emergency outpatient and minor injury units staff should be able to gain access to local authority child protection registers, and social protection registers and social services should, on reasonable request, be given access to the relevant parts of a child's health records provided that disclosure is for the protection of the child's physical or mental health."

Speaking at the launch of the review, health and social services minister for Wales Jane Hutt said: "[The report] recognises the need to ensure that everyone who has contact with children and their treatment, from non-executive directors to doctors, nurses and practice receptionists are aware of the rights of the child and is alert to the possibility of abuse."