Study to investigate conflict of interest faced by GPs in child abuse cases

    A project looking at the conflicts of interest faced by doctors when they are responsible for both a child who may have been mistreated and the parent suspected of the abuse has been commissioned by the government.

    The Safeguarding Children : Conflicts of Interest for GPs project, which is set to report in December and is being undertaken by Kingston University, has received £125, 000 from a fund established in the wake of the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000.

    Head of the University’s School of Social Work Hilary Tompsett, who is leading the study, said that family doctors often had to contend with the ethical dilemma of assessing children who might be at risk while maintaining relationships with parents or guardians. 

    More than 150 professionals linked to two primary care trusts have shared their views with the research team so far.

    More information
    Essential information on child protection

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     Amy Taylor

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