The aim of a medical assessment is to meet the medical/sexual health and forensic needs of the child/young person. If there are concerns about sexual abuse, sending patients to the Emergency Department (A&E dept) or GP is never appropriate unless they are medically unwell. See flow chart below for appropriate service.
In paediatric services:
- Patients are always seen by a female doctor.
- They are rarely seen in the middle of the night as this is not in their best interests (FFLM RCPCH guidance).
- Pre-pubertal children never have an invasive examination.
- The children/ young people & carers are always able to stop the assessment at any time & are distracted during the process, which is conducted in an unhurried, sensitive manner.
- Young people may be seen up to 18 years old if they:
- Have learning disabilities.
- Are fostered (Children in Care / Looked After) and have special needs.
- Young people 16 years or older, & not in the categories above, are seen by Adult SARC service.
Concerns that child/young person (CYP) has been sexually abused/assaulted
1. Child/young person less than 16 years old?
– Yes – Go to point 2.
– No. 16-18 years old – Contact Adult SARC 24/7 – 0330 223 0099
2. Sexually abuse is likely to have occurred within the last 7 days. In pubertal YP if allegation of penile/vaginal penetration discussion with PFN should be considered up to 10 days.
– Yes
Paediatric Forensic Service 24/7
- Referrer to make referral to the local children’s social care and/or Police by telephone.
- Children’s social care / police to contact PFN to arrange assessment.
- Will be seen on the same day or the following day at the Children & Young People’s clinic, GNCH, RVI, Level 3 Victoria Entrance, Victoria Rd, NE1 4LP.
- C/YP are accompanied by a social worker and/or police officer.
- Office hours: 0191 282 4753
- Out of Hours: 0191 233 6161
- Ask for the paediatric consultant on call for child sexual abuse
– No
- Contact local non-recent CSA service
- Will be seen within a few weeks at local clinic
- Durham – 0191 387 6371
- Newcastle and Gateshead – 0191 282 4753, nuth.nepaediatricforensicservice@nhs-net
- Northumberland and North Tyneside – 0344 811 8111. Ask for the Child Protection consultant on call
- South Tyneside and Sunderland – 0191 569 9012, [email protected]
- Teesside area – 01642 854 868
- [email protected]
Patient information video
CYPCDOC118
Revision: 3
