Children At Risk

Yet another neglected child dies, despite numerous complaints from worried people.

Each complaint is dealt with separately, and nobody notices a pattern of constant neglect, or in other cases escalation of neglect.

First, there should be a central register of all complaints concerning a child.

Second a child who is at risk should be seen on a daily basis, if only by a next door neighbour or volunteer, to check the child is alive and well.

Thirdly, an alcoholic should be phoned daily so that if they are not sober it's immediately discovered.

Fourthly a specific person in social services should be responsible for each child and co-ordinating actions.

Fifthly a regular report should be made by and to a responsible relative, or two. Often the granny and/ or ex-husband complains nobody told them. Forget patient confidentiality. Safety first. Once the child is dead, everybody knows and then it's too late.

The same applies in hospitals. What happens in hospitals is that one person sees the patient's feet, another notes he's had no food, the consultant calls in once a day and sees the patient so depressed he wants to die and nobody tells relatives that poor Dad or grandad is dying.