title: Identification and characteristics of vulnerable adults attending an inner city sexual health service.
abstract: Adult safeguarding is the function of protecting vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect. The 2012 Department of Health Draft Care and Support Bill highlighted adult safeguarding as a key government priority and stated that a clear framework is required for organisations dealing with 'adults at risk'. Adults at risk present to sexual health services but no formal guidance currently exists to aid their identification and management in this setting. We conducted a retrospective case note review which identified that vulnerable adults attend our service. They may display recognised risk factors, awareness of which is likely to facilitate identification and assessment of this group and aid appropriate onward referral.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK verity.sullivan@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Verity
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cheserem
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Cliodhna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Guys and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamlyn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D034121:Reproductive Health Services; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Europe; adult safeguarding; adults at risk; risk factors; screening; sexual health; women