title: Protecting against harm: safeguarding adults in general medicine.
abstract: The abuse of adults who are vulnerable or at risk is an important cause of harm to patients. Doctors have a duty to act on concerns about abuse and to seek to protect those in need. We discuss two case examples of how abuse can present in a general hospital setting and use these to consider the steps clinicians should take in the interests of patients. We also describe definitions in relation to safeguarding adults and illustrate principles with which to approach safeguarding practice.
authors.affiliation: Safeguarding Adults, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, St Albans, UK billy.boland@hpft.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Billy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.affiliation: Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, St Albans, UK.
authors.forename: Jemima
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burnage
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: Abuse; adult; risk of harm; safeguarding; vulnerable
references.citation: BMJ. 2013 May 14;346:f2716
references.pmid: 23674331