Abuse

 

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We have documented protocols for the safeguarding of both children and vulnerable adults.

In the wider context we do not tolerate abuse in any form, including that which may occasionally be directed to a member of our staff from a patient. The relevant paragraph from our Abuse Information document reads:

“As a responsible employer Oak Tree is aware that its staff may be exposed to abuse during their working day; this may be from a colleague or a member of the public. We apply the same standards of safeguarding to our own staff as we do to our patients; abuse in any form will never be tolerated.”

image depicting zero tolerance

Patients who engage in abusive or violent behaviour to a member of the Oak Tree staff will, depending upon its severity, be either warned formally in writing or be removed from the Health Centre’s patient list.

 

Abuse Information

Are you suffering from abuse? Or is someone you know suffering from abuse?

abuse vb: to maltreat, especially physically or sexually…to speak insultingly or cruelly to…maltreatment of a person; injury…
Collins, 2005. English Dictionary Desktop Edition: Harper Collins

Abuse can take many different forms.

Any single act or pattern of behaviour which threatens an individual’s physical, mental or emotional wellbeing can be considered abuse. Such acts may happen deliberately, or may be as a result of negligence or ignorance.

If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, you do not have to let it continue; help is available.

Oak Tree Health Centre has strict protocols in place to safeguard both our patients and staff from abuse.

All of our clinical staff are trained to recognize the signs of abuse and to be familiar with the requirements of our safeguarding protocols. All allegations of abuse are taken very seriously.

 

Who is at risk?

Vulnerable Adults

A “vulnerable adult” is a person aged 18 years or over who is either:

  • in need of community help because of illness, disability, or age;
  • unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm

Vulnerable adults are susceptible to abuse in its following forms:

  • physical – hitting, kicking, pushing, restraint, misuse of medication etc.
  • psychological – threats, humiliation, controlling, intimidation, verbal abuse etc.
  • sexual – rape or sexual assault, non-consensual acts etc.
  • financial or material – theft, fraud, misappropriation of property or possessions etc.
  • neglect – ignoring care needs, failing to provide access to medical care etc.
  • discriminatory – racist, sexist, disability etc.
 

Children

Children are especially vulnerable to abuse and it is everyone’s responsibility to guard against this. They are susceptible to abuse in its following forms, only some of which have visible signs:

  • physical – hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning or otherwise causing physical harm
  • emotional – ill treatment leading to adverse effects upon a child’s emotional development
  • sexual – forcing or enticing participation in sexual activities, whether the child is aware or not
  • neglect – persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs
 

Staff

As a responsible employer Oak Tree is aware that its staff may be exposed to abuse during their working day; this may be from a colleague or a member of the public. We apply the same standards of safeguarding to our own staff as we do to our patients; abuse in any form will never be tolerated.

 

What can you do?

Do not allow abuse in any form to continue!

If you are worried about a child being hurt or abused then please visit the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board OSCB website telephone the Abingdon Assessment Team on 01865 897 983, or telephone the Emergency Duty Team (outside office hours) on 0800 833 408.

If you are worried about an adult being abused then please visit the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board OSAB website, or telephone Oxfordshire County Council's Social and Health Care Team on 0845 0507 666