New system in UK will help A&E doctors spot abuse
Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has urged the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, to examine a new child protection system in the UK, which will use online technology to make it easier for A&E doctors to spot and monitor child abuse. Deputy O’Donovan raised the issue in a recent Parliamentary Question to the Minister.
“Under a new system introduced in the UK, every child who visits an A&E unit or has out of hours GP care will be logged on a national database, to make it easier for doctors to spot instances of child abuse. Essentially, it means that health professionals will immediately be able to check whether a child is known to social services or has been seen at other emergency departments, which may indicate abuse.
“I am glad to receive confirmation from Minister Fitzgerald that progress is being made on the implementation of a new centralised IT system here to support social work services and monitor children at risk. Minister Fitzgerald has recognised the need to improve the quality and accuracy of information available within the HSE in relation to child protection services, while also ensuring timely information is available.
“The National Child Care Information System (NCCIS) will be the new central system to support social work services. The system, which is currently at contract stage, will be used to record and store the case history of every child in receipt of social care. The introduction of the NCCIS has been identified by the Minister as a priority which will help to significantly improve the level, quality and accessibility of information in respect of Children and Family Services.
“This new system will be underpinned by the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency, which is due to be launched shortly. The Government has also committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin the Children First Guidelines. The combination of these reforms will ensure we have a child protection system that is fit for purpose.”