Elder abuse in the UK: out of the shadows and on to the agenda

Dear Editor
Stephens et al have clearly highlighted the gap in service provision for adults at risk of harm. A forensic service should be available for all adults who because of care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from harm. The Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) with NHS E & I have run a pilot workshop covering the Forensic Aspects of Adult Safeguarding to increase forensic awareness. The aims and objectives of this short course are to start to train healthcare professionals (HCPs) to accurately document and interpret injuries, provide statements for police and the court, and give evidence in court, if required. Clearly this role needs to be covered in more detail in the Intercollegiate document on Safeguarding Adults which is up for review this year. If HCPs do not have the skills to perform these examinations there must be a pathway to ensure that adults at risk of harm are managed in exactly the same way as when non-accidental injury is suspected in children. The FFLM has the ability to assist with training in the forensic field and support practitioners in this essential role.