Child protection issues and the anaesthetist

In the past few years, cases of child abuse have come to light throughout the UK and have led to ongoing concerns regarding the safety of children in our society. Child maltreatment has both shortand long-term effects on the emotional and physical health of a child. It is incumbent upon all healthcare professionals to be aware of safeguarding and child protection issues, and also to acquire the basic skills appropriate to their area of practice. In all parts of the UK, there is statutory advice that obliges health organizations (and those providing education and social care) to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Training is a key part of these responsibilities and in 2006, an intercollegiate (IC) document defined the competencies necessary for all healthcare professionals. This document was largely written with the paediatrician, general practitioner (GP), or children’s nurse in mind. An outcome from the 2009 Laming review of child protection procedures in England was a survey of the training provision, and as part of this review, a full revision of the IC document was commissioned. The vast majority of anaesthetists along with all other doctors will need to maintain level 2 competencies, which we anticipate in future will be acquired in early years of training. A new leadership role in safeguarding for some paediatric anaesthetists has been suggested and these individuals will need to maintain ‘core’ level 3 competencies which is very much knowledge-based. Maintenance of competencies will not generally involve repetition of a particular course, for example, at 2 or 3 yearly intervals, as in the past.