Child Safeguarding Statement  RushGP

Child Safeguarding Statement

RushGP

44 Upper Main Street, Rush, Co. Dublin, K56 NV61
Tel: 01-2118380
Email: info@rushgp.ie

  1. Name of Service Being Provided

RushGP is a general medical practice providing primary healthcare services to infants, children, adolescents and families in North Dublin.

  1. Nature of Service and Principles to Safeguard Children from Harm

RushGP provides comprehensive general practice and primary care services including:

  • Routine GP consultations
  • Childhood immunisations and vaccinations
  • Developmental assessments
  • Family medicine services
  • Mental health assessment and support
  • Chronic disease management
  • Nursing services
  • Medical student placements and supervised clinical teaching
  • Care provided by locum doctors where required


 

We are committed to safeguarding children and young people and promoting their welfare in accordance with:

  • Children First Act 2015
  • Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017)
  • Tusla Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice
  • Child Care Act 1991
  • Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998
  • National Vetting Bureau Acts 2012–2016
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people attending the practice:

  • are treated with dignity and respect;
  • are listened to appropriately;
  • are protected from harm;
  • receive care in a safe and supportive environment.

Our guiding principles apply to all staff, including:

  • GP partners
  • Salaried and locum doctors
  • Practice nurses
  • Administrative staff
  • Medical students
  • Future healthcare assistants and trainees


 

  1. Risk Assessment

RushGP has carried out an assessment of potential risks of harm to children while availing of services.

Identified Risk

Procedure in Place to Manage Risk

Child protection or welfare concerns disclosed during consultations

Children First reporting procedures; DLP oversight; referral to Tusla/Gardaí where appropriate

Child seen without appropriate adult supervision

Children under 16 are not seen alone unless exceptional safeguarding circumstances arise

Intimate examinations

Chaperone offered routinely; additional staff chaperone available where appropriate

Inappropriate staff behaviour or allegations against staff

Procedure for management of allegations; immediate protective action where required

Student interaction with children

Children must attend with a parent/legal guardian while being seen by medical students; supervising GP retains overall clinical responsibility

Recruitment of unsuitable staff

Garda vetting and safe recruitment procedures

Failure to recognise safeguarding concerns

Mandatory safeguarding awareness training via HSELand

Confidentiality breaches

Secure electronic medical records and restricted access systems

Vulnerable family situations (mental health, domestic violence, neglect, substance misuse)

Clinical vigilance, documentation and referral pathways to appropriate agencies

Language or communication barriers

Use of parents/guardians, interpreters where feasible, clear documentation

Contact with locum staff unfamiliar with procedures

Induction into safeguarding procedures and reporting obligations

Reception/admin incidental contact with distressed children or families

Escalation procedure to clinical staff/DLP


 

  1. Procedures

This Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice.

Reporting Concerns

  • Any member of staff with a child protection or welfare concern must bring the concern to the attention of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) without delay.
  • The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reviewing concerns and coordinating referrals to Tusla and/or An Garda Síochána where appropriate.
  • Mandated persons retain an individual statutory obligation under the Children First Act 2015 to submit mandated reports directly to Tusla where the threshold for mandated reporting is met.
  • Where appropriate, reports may be submitted jointly by the mandated person and the DLP.
  • In emergency situations where a child is considered at immediate risk and Tusla is unavailable, An Garda Síochána will be contacted directly.

Managing Allegations Against Staff

  • Any allegation of abuse or inappropriate behaviour involving staff, students or contractors will be managed promptly and fairly.
  • Protective measures for children will take priority.
  • Appropriate reporting to Tusla, Gardaí and regulatory bodies will occur where required.

Recruitment and Selection

  • Garda vetting is required for all relevant staff and trainees.
  • Appropriate references and professional registration checks are completed.
  • Locum clinicians must demonstrate current registration and suitability for practice.

Training

  • Staff are required to complete Children First safeguarding training through HSELand.
  • Safeguarding awareness forms part of staff induction.
  • Staff are informed of procedures for recognising and reporting harm.


 

Supervision of Students

  • Children must attend with a parent or legal guardian while being seen by medical students.
  • Medical students may obtain histories and, where appropriate, perform preliminary non-intimate assessments prior to GP review.
  • The supervising GP retains overall clinical responsibility at all times.
  • Students are not permitted to independently manage patients.
  • Safeguarding, confidentiality and professional conduct requirements are explained during induction.

Safe Clinical Practice

  • Children under 16 years attend with a parent or legal guardian.
  • Young people aged 16–17 may attend independently where clinically appropriate.
  • Chaperones are routinely offered for intimate examinations.
  • Routine childhood immunisations are administered by qualified nursing staff.

Confidentiality and Record Keeping

  • Secure electronic medical record systems are maintained.
  • Access to confidential information is restricted to authorised personnel only.
  • Safeguarding concerns are documented appropriately and securely.

Mandated Persons

The practice maintains a list of mandated persons working within the service in accordance with the Children First Act 2015.


 

Relevant Person

Dr John Foster
RushGP
44 Upper Main Street
Rush, Co. Dublin, K56 NV61
Tel: 01-2118380
Email: info@rushgp.ie

Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

Dr John Foster

Deputy Designated Liaison Person

Dr Colin Kilmartin

  1. Implementation

RushGP recognises that implementation of safeguarding procedures is an ongoing process. The practice is committed to implementing this Child Safeguarding Statement and associated procedures to ensure, as far as practicable, that children are kept safe from harm while availing of our services.

This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed every 24 months, or sooner where there has been a material change in services, staffing, legislation or safeguarding guidance, in accordance with the Children First Act 2015.