The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (“SCAI”) is already investigating 69 institutions. Continue reading
Tag Archives: healthcare
Healthcare providers, reviews and inquiries
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has recently published an update report in connection with the seminars held in September 2017 to consider current approaches to the prevention of child sexual abuse in healthcare services. Although there is not a specific investigation focused upon sexual abuse of children within the healthcare sector, there have been a number of high profile cases involving medical and care professionals which might suggest that the healthcare sector may represent as much of a risk as any other sector involved in the care of children. Of course it is not just children who are at risk and although they are the focus of IICSA, other inquiries and reviews are also looking at abusive behaviour towards adults, most currently the Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by Paterson (the surgeon convicted of assaults arising from unnecessary breast tissue surgeries). Continue reading
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to be reformed
The Health Minister has endorsed the Law Commission’s recommendations to replace the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) with the more robust Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). The new regime will provide greater legal safeguards and transparency for individuals who are deprived of their liberty because they lack the mental capacity to consent to necessary care/treatment. Continue reading
IICSA considers the health sector
As part of its research programme the IICSA is considering abuse within the health sector. Whilst none of the current investigations focus on this sector it remains a possibility that a future investigation will do so. To shape knowledge of abuse within this sector, two days of seminars will be held on 26 and 27 September at which a variety of issues will be discussed. The seminars will be available to watch live on the Inquiry’s website and then be available for subsequent review.
Overhauling Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
This week The Law Commission published its report and draft Bill intended to overhaul the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The proposed replacement will require advance authorisation of deprivation of liberty in all but truly urgent cases and there are calls for greater enforcement of penalties for non-compliance.
