Safeguarding

Question 1

What are the key points to safeguarding (6)

Answer 1

1. Being front-line staff
2. it is important for you to look out for signs of abuse or neglect – these may be emotional , physical (including sexual), and psychological, or involve discrimination, deception or fraud
3. Signs of abuse and neglect are not always apparent and there can be an innocent and rational explanation behind them
4. When sharing information with other parties, even with your supervising pharmacist or owner/superintendent pharmacist, it is important to obtain consent from the patient for every situation arising and record all details as necessary
5. All concerns should be reported to your supervising pharmacist or to the owner/superintendent pharmacist.
6. They will follow the pharmacy SOPs to record suspicion of suspected abuse or neglect and contact the relevant authorities.

Question 2

What is the relevant safeguarding authority in England and Wales (3)

Answer 2

1. the named officer in the Local Safeguarding Children Board
2. Safeguarding Adults Board
3. local Primary Care Organisation

Question 3

What is the relevant safeguarding authority in Scotland (2)

Answer 3

1. the local NHS Board Child Protection Office
2. the Local Adult Protection Unit for vulnerable adults

Question 4

What is the relevant safeguarding authority in Northern Ireland

Answer 4

the named officer in Gateway Social Services of the relevant Health and Social Care Trust

Question 5

What are signs of abuse and neglect (7)

Answer 5

1. Dressings, or treatments, for wounds in unusual places
2. Ignoring advice of referral to either a doctor or hospital
3. Multiple injuries at different stages of healing
4. Physical signs such as bruising, scratches, friction burns, or inappropriate smacking (usually of a child) or pushing
5. Requests for a repeat prescription or the purchase of an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine may suggest overdosing
6. The vulnerable adult or child seems to always have different symptoms of varying illnesses
7. Requests for over-the-counter sedatives

Question 6

What are the signs of sexual abuse (4)

Answer 6

1. Frequent requests for emergency contraception:
2. The age of consent in the UK for sexual activity is 16 years of age
3. Follow Fraser guidelines if the child is under 16 years of age
4. Concerns after requests for genital or urinary tract infections or other signs, for example, love bites

Question 7

How do you recognise signs of abuse and neglect from unusual behaviour from customers/patients (11)

Answer 7

1. A child acting overfriendly may seem as though this is nothing out of the ordinary; however, this can be a sign of an attachment/asking for affection
2. A patient being openly humiliated or intimidated
3. A patient regularly appearing subdued/withdrawn – this can indicate a sign of emotional abuse in domestic violence
4. Inappropriate medicines being given by the carer/parent, for example,pharmacy staff may overhear that a parent has administered their own medicines to a child
5. Intoxicated carer who is unaware of the actions and presence of a person under their care
6. Lack of concern for the patient, and possibly even aggression towards them – aggression can sometimes be used as a diversion tactic from a certain situation
7. Member of the travelling community not being accounted for
8. Medicines which are intended to be taken regularly may be omitted resulting in a worsening medical condition
9. Poor hygiene
10. Prescribed and OTC medicines being given inappropriately or in excessive amounts
11. Radicalisation is considered to be a safeguarding issue – the Home Office has published guidance to prevent vulnerable people being drawn towards terrorist activities