Children’s Commissioner’s Report on Child Safety in Hospitals

A report released by the Children’s Commissioner this week details an investigation into the cases of two young children who were abused while in hospital. Both of the children were hospitalised with suspected non-accidental injuries in 2004, and in both cases, parents were convicted of assault against the child.

The investigation found that in both incidents, the hospital and Child Youth and Family staff did not have clear guidelines or procedures to follow, and that there is a need for a robust inter-agency protocol to respond to situations of children presenting at hospitals with suspected non-accidental injury where the perpetrator is unknown. The report proposes a model for District Health Boards to implement which would safeguard children in hospital, and makes several recommendations for hospitals.

Full a full copy of the report, click on the link below:

Safety of children in hospital report