Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

Call for evidence on the role of doctors in child protection

The call for evidence is now closed

For further information on the project.

We are asking all those involved in child protection, or who have knowledge and experience about the issues, to submit evidence about doctors’ roles and responsibilities in child protection. This includes doctors from all areas of practice, health professionals, social workers, police, lawyers, children and young people and their families and carers.

The evidence will inform new GMC guidance for all doctors involved in child protection work. The new guidance will help doctors to meet the standards of professional conduct and performance that is expected of them when they work in this complex and challenging area. We expect to issue this new guidance at the end of 2011.

The call for evidence is the first step in the process of developing the new guidance. It will run from Friday 30 July until Friday 24 September 2010. It is open to anyone with an interest who wishes to respond.

We are asking respondents five questions on areas relevant to doctors’ work in child protection, including:

  • Consent and confidentiality when doctors work with children and their families
  • Doctors’ relationships with parents, carers and the wider family
  • Doctors working in partnership with other professionals and agencies
  • The training and other support available for doctors.

We want to hear about what works well in practice, as well as any problems or difficulties in these areas. We also want to hear about any examples you can offer.

You can see our questions and complete your response on the GMC’s public consultation website at: https://gmc.e-consultation.net/econsult/default.aspx

Alternatively, you can send us your comments by post or by mail.  You can download the full questions and information on where to send your response (62kb, pdf). It is also available to download in Welsh.

Please telephone the Standards and Ethics Team on 020 7189 5404 or email us to request paper copies of the questions or copies in other languages or alternative formats such as large print or audio.

You can read our press release about the working group who are overseeing the project.