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Complaints against doctors in child protection work have increased fivefold

BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7440.601 (Published 11 March 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:601
  1. Zosia Kmietowicz
  1. London

    The threat of complaints and ruined reputations is driving paediatricians away from fulfilling their role in child protection, leaving vulnerable children at risk of abuse, says the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

    A survey of college members, to which almost 80% of the country's 6072 paediatricians replied, has shown that the number of complaints made against doctors involved in child protection has risen fivefold in the last seven years.

    And while complaints have risen, paediatricians have turned their backs on child protection work. Currently 30% of posts where paediatricians take a lead in child protection are unfilled.

    The catalyst for the increase in complaints has been the publicity surrounding two high profile cases, said Professor …

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