Safeguarding vulnerable children
Safeguarding and protection of children and young people from harm is a core objective for all members of staff who work with children in the hospital. All staff are given training to help them identify such children and to pass relevant information on to other experienced colleagues within the Child Safeguarding Team—this may lead to referral on to other agencies (eg Social Services).
Key members of the child safeguarding team
- Paul Hargreaves (Designated Doctor)—020 3315 1286 or bleep 5694
- Kingi Aminu (Named Doctor)—020 3315 2565 or bleep 5887
- Monica King (Named Nurse)—020 3315 2751 or bleep 4241 (Mon–Wed)
- Sarah Cain (Named Nurse)—020 3315 2751 or bleep 4241 (Thu–Fri)
- Wendy Allen (Named Midwife)—020 3315 2114
- Sarah Hamilton (A&E Liaison Health Visitor)—bleep 7078
Within the Community Paediatric Services Department we have a number of experienced doctors who medically evaluate children who may have been abused or neglected. These referrals come from the local Social Services Departments in Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.
We offer a weekdays in hours service and have one rota for children who may have been sexually abused (non-acutely) and one for children who may have been abused or neglected in other ways. Out of hours cover is provided by the on-call Consultant Paediatrician who may advise Social Services to arrange a follow-up medical evaluation.
For cases of children and young people who may have been recently sexually abused—these are referred to the local Haven Sexual Assault Referral Centre based at St Mary's Hospital. This is a 24-hour service for children and adults and referrals are made via the police and Social Services.
Consultants and key staff
- Dr Skandhini Carthigesan (Lead Consultant)
- Dr Peggy O’Driscoll (Consultant)
- Dr Morenike Adebusuyi (Consultant)
- Dr Madiha Elsawi (Consultant)
- Dr Paul Hargreaves (Consultant)
- Tracey Dowling (Social Paediatric Officer)
- Leigh Marsh (Community Paediatric Co-ordinator)
