There has been a 15% rise in safeguarding referrals from primary care in recent years, according to figures obtained by GP publication Pulse, but the level of demand and cuts to social care funding means GPs are struggling to be able to contact social services. The increase in referrals follows a Care Quality Commission (CQC) intervention to encourage GPs to refer earlier in cases of suspected child abuse, accompanied by training and procedural checks in GP practices. The CQC guidance follows the Baby P investigation in which the GP’s role was criticised.
Rise in safeguarding referrals by GPs
