Royal Colleges Publish Guidelines On Working With Children With Suspected Nonaccidental Injury

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 25 Apr 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) have jointly published a document that sets out important guidance on investigating suspected non-accidental injury (NAI) in children. The document, 'Standards for Radiological Investigations of Suspected Non-accidental Injury' brings together the latest guidance and recommendations on how to proceed in these cases and aims to ensure that all healthcare professionals involved in child protection are suitably supported.

Research shows that, amongst the different forms of injury in childhood, non-accidental injury is relatively common. This document sets out to ensure that radiologists and paediatricians are assisted and supported in offering the best standards of protection and care to children who might be required to undergo examination for suspected NAI.

Dr Rosalyn Proops, Child Protection Officer, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH): "Child protection is everyone's responsibility. Paediatricians and radiologists need to work together in the best interests of children. For the first time this document describes the standards and investigations required for children who might have been injured."

Dr Gill Markham, Vice-President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said, "Thorough and complex investigation is necessary in diagnosing children with suspected NAI, and the use of radiological imaging often plays a vital role in that diagnosis. This document highlights the importance of healthcare professionals working together to diagnose and treat the child, and the need for specific training for general and paediatric radiologists in child protection."

Notes

The document, Standards for Radiological Investigations of Suspected Non-accidental Injury, is available here.

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has approximately 7,500 members and Fellows worldwide representing the disciplines of clinical oncology and clinical radiology. All members and Fellows of the College are registered medical or dental practitioners.

The objectives of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are to advance the art and science of paediatrics; raise the standard of medical care provided to children and young people; educate and examine those concerned with the health of children and young people and to advance the education of the public (and in particular medical practitioners) in child health, meaning the protection of children, the prevention of illness and disease in children and safeguarding their optimal development.

Royal College of Radiologists