> It is also worth remembering that the provision of pooled anonymised data
is
> only one aspect of the Cardiff project.
> It also involved:
> a direct line to the police in the A&E department in a private area
> patient information leaflets on who to contact to report crime and for
> help
> "clinics" from victim support held within A&E
> I agree that we should not pass information about individuals to the
Police
> but I am all for including incident location on the minimum data set. Then
> we can get some decent trauma prevention work going. Many of us know one
or
> two pubs/clubs that create a lot of problems. Why shouldn't the licensing
> authorities be aware of how many A&E attendances came from that club
before
> they decide about renewing the licence?
> Shouldn't BAEM be issuing some guidance on this?
> Matthew
>
> Dr Matthew Cooke
> Senior Lecturer in Emergency Care
> Emergency Medicine Research Group ( www.emerg-uk.com )
I agree with the concept of injury prevention, but likewise would be
disturbed if the police didn't already know where the trouble spots were.
We also know from GU studies that a large proportion of rapes go
unreported - because they attend GU clinics instead.
If it allowed the Police to concentrate their resources to trouble spots,
then it is hopeful that there will be less serious vilence/ assaults/
stabbings to deal with.
The Cardiff project seems to be an introduction to the concept of working
with Police forces - after all, if GPs are the frontline for delivering the
Public Health Agenda, then surely the Police are one of the frontline forces
in Accident & Emergency Injury Prevention.
Rather than issue guidance, perhaps the BAEM should start a consultation
exercise, with dare I say it external funding, to explore this concept in
more detail?
Jeremy (GP/ BASICS Doc/ Principal Forensic Medical Examiner Sussex Police)
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