Inquiry call into number of at-risk kids rushed to A&E

THERE have been calls for an investigation after it emerged Lothian youngsters on the child protection register have been rushed to hospital 498 times in the past two years.

The figure is almost as many as the total number of children on the watch list, which includes children at risk of neglect or physical abuse.

It emerged after NHS Lothian brought in a system two years ago which alerted its database if an under-16 on the register was admitted to accident and emergency.

Staff would then notify the relevant social work department, who could look at the case and decide whether or not it was worthy of concern.

Today's figures do not reveal what number of the 498 admissions were the result of abuse or how many were repeat admissions. But the Conservatives' spokesman for children and families in Edinburgh, Councillor Cameron Rose, said it needed to be looked into.

He said: "This seems like a high number compared to the total number on the register.

"That in itself deserves investigation, these figures raise concern, even without further detail on why these children were admitted."

The figures were revealed in NHS Lothian's Child Protection Annual Report, which also showed a breakdown of why the area's youngsters are known to their local authorities. A total of 268 are at risk of physical neglect, 127 because of emotional abuse and 104 due to the potential of physical injury. The risk of sexual abuse exists in 49 cases, while one child is listed because of a "failure to thrive".

For the health board itself the TRAK initiative has been a success, revealing hundreds of admissions which may have previously gone unnoticed.

However, others will point to the statistics as indicative that simply being on the CPR is not enough protection.

Melanie Hornett, NHS Lothian's nurse director, said: "Our electronic TRAK alerts system allows us to provide further protection for vulnerable children and is another tool to help us keep all our children safe."

In January, the Evening News revealed how 100 babies were on the list before they were even born.

Kate Higgins, policy manager for Edinburgh-based Children 1st, said: "The number of instances is concerning and they warrant further investigation. It is also important to highlight that any instances of a child being admitted to hospital with an injury that could have been caused by abuse or neglect should be brought to the attention of social work, regardless of whether or not the child's name is on the child protection register."

A city council spokeswoman said: "Child protection is a multi-agency issue and this alert system helps all agencies to share valuable information.

"These figures demonstrate important contact with health professionals often required by these children and are rarely an indication of anything more concerning. The fact that a child is on the register can lead them to be monitored more closely as they are liable to have health problems."