Child protection training raises GP awareness

Take up of new training courses to ensure that health professionals are better equipped to detect the early signs of child abuse have soared recently. More than 95%of GP's in West Cumbria have attended the child protection sessions. 

An independent review into the death of a child in May 2002 led to a recommendation for all GP's to participate in appropriate child protection awareness training. The training is planned and provided by Dr Moyna Clark, designated child protection doctor for the county and Wade Tilbury, Multi Agency Child Protection trainer. Wade says, 

"In West Cumbria Primary Care Trust (PCT) over 95% of the GPs attended a series of three hour introductory sessions between September and November 2002. In Carlisle and District PCT 18 GPs and 86 practice staff have attended child protection training and agreed training programme covering all the GP practices in Eden Valley PCT will be running by March 2004. 

In South Cumbria most GP practices have now received training. All practice staff attend training including Receptionists, Health Visitors and District Nurses as well as GPs. 69 GPs have been trained so far. Feedback from the training sessions has been very positive with many people keen to extend their knowledge and skills base in the detection of early signs of child abuse." 

Commenting on the training, Dr Moyna Clark, designated Doctor for Child Protection with Cumbria Child Protection Committee, says, 

"I am delighted at the willingness shown by so many GPs and practice staff to take part in child protection training. I was deeply saddened by the death of baby Mark. I hope that the response of GPs to the training programmes that we have arranged will mean that health professionals are better equipped to detect the early signs and symptoms of child abuse and that babies and children can be better protected in the future."