NHSGGC - Children's Forensic Medical Services

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) (on behalf of West of Scotland (WoS) NHS Boards) require a dynamic organisation for the provision of a Child Forensic Physician Service. Child Forensic Physician input to children and young people who have been sexually abused/raped or subject to physical abuse in the West of Scotland.

When there is a suspicion of sexual or physical abuse, children are examined by a paediatrician who may request that a Child Forensic Physician is also present. In Scotland, because of the need for corroboration in the legal process, a Joint Paediatric Forensic Examination (JPFE) provides a holistic assessment of development, health and wellbeing and allows for collection of forensic evidence.

Within each Health Board, it is the role of the Child Protection Service to make arrangements for medical assessments of children. The Public Protection service participates in the multi-agency child protection process which starts with information sharing at the Inter-agency Referral Discussion (IRD).

The IRD will make the decisions about which cases require discussion with the Paediatrician about medical examination. The decision to perform a JPFE is usually taken by the Paediatrician.

In order to arrange the medical assessment for a child, there is therefore a requirement for an early discussion with the Paediatrician and CFP, to ensure an appropriate, proportionate and child centred medical assessment. The discussion between the Paediatric medical staff and the CFP should take place in a timely manner which places the needs of the child at the centre in support of judicial process. It is expected that the Paediatrician and the CFP will have skills that complement each other, thus providing a comprehensive holistic examination and forensic sample collection.