Pathways for children presenting to GPs where there is a concern of abuse or neglect

The aim of this guidance is to provide all GPs in NHSGGC (including those working in out of hours services) with care pathways for children who present with concerns about child maltreatment that may require a child protection (CP) medical opinion.

Rarely a child may require urgent medical treatment or present with a life threatening injury. In such cases the child should be transferred to hospital immediately by ambulance and contact also should be made with the senior Dr in the receiving A&E department.

If parents are uncooperative and refuse to take a child for a paediatric assessment or fails to attend this should be reported immediately to social work. If there is any immediate risk of harm the police must be contacted.