New BMA guidance states that doctors have an obligation to take action if they believe vulnerable adults are being abused or neglected. The Department of Health commissioned the BMA to produce “Safeguarding vulnerable adults – a toolkit for general practitioners” because of a lack of clarity in this area.
While the guidance is aimed at GPs, any professional working in a healthcare setting with vulnerable adults should also find it useful. The guidance highlights the obligation doctors have to protect vulnerable adults and that legislation is in place to protect doctors who wish to speak out. This includes identifying abusers, identifying systemic healthcare failures and reporting poor performance by health professionals. The toolkit also stresses that safeguarding vulnerable adults is not the same as child protection. The term “vulnerable adult” covers a wide range of individuals, some of whom may be incapable of looking after any aspect of their lives and others who may be experiencing short periods of illness or disability with an associated reduction in their ability to make decisions.
