To ask the Minister of Health to detail his plans to update guidelines in relation to how victims of domestic violence are treated in hospitals and other health and care settings.

While no specific guidelines exist, there is considerable evidence of focused support based on operating protocols and training programmes.

These include:

Southern Trust

SHSCT staff attend safeguarding training (adult and child safeguarding) at a level relevant to their job role. This includes recognising and responding to victims of domestic and sexual abuse within all settings, including acute, and to make appropriate onward referrals for support as applicable.

Southern Trust, in collaboration with Women’s Aid, established a DASS (Domestic Abuse Safety and Support Advisor) Worker role within the Acute setting, with a dedicated focus of engaging with victims of Domestic Abuse.

To provide immediate support and advice to victims of domestic abuse within hospital

To link individuals and families to longer-term community-based support

To provide hospital staff with expert training so that they have the confidence to ask about domestic abuse establishing clear referral routes

To create and develop immediate safety plans for the individual and an onward MARAC referral if required

This service has provided timely support and advice to victims of domestic abuse across both acute hospitals, Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital. This has facilitated an improved response time in providing victims with support.

South Eastern Trust

SET Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership has developed training and awareness raising resources which have been shared both internally and externally to the Trust

Trust midwives routine inquire pre and post pregnancy in recognition that domestic abuse can often start and escalate in pregnancy. Radiologists within the hospital departments have also been trained to implement targeted enquiry if they are concerned regarding a patient’s presentation

The Partnership is actively exploring with the patient navigators based in the Ulster Hospital ways to support victims of domestic and sexual abuse when they present at the Emergency Department.

Northern Trust

Trust staff work within current Safeguarding Board NI Policies and Procedures designed to identify, treat and manage victims of Domestic Violence. Trust policies direct staff on how to respond to a disclosure and actions to take, including indirect/direct questions, onward referral, safety planning with victims, and contact numbers for support and consideration of UNOCINI (Understanding the Needs of Children in Northern Ireland) and/or MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) referral.Trust staff, in hospital and community settings, have access to level 1 safeguarding awareness raising training as part of their corporate induction. Further level 2 and level 3 Domestic Abuse training is available for staff depending on their requirements for job role. Staff responding to a disclosure of domestic abuse have also been trained in completion of UNOCINI, DASH/RIC (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment/Risk Identification Checklist) and MARAC, if required. There is also a Safeguarding Children’s Nurse Specialist (SCNS) team available to support staff when dealing with a victim of domestic abuse and ensuring that the victim receives the highest possible support and help. Routine and/or selective enquiry are commonly used as a way of identifying Domestic abuse victims. Staff are trained on the use of these tools and how to make an onward referral to MARAC if required. Regional work is ongoing to review and update this policy. Victims of domestic abuse are given a list of support contacts, e.g. Woman's Aid and Victim Support, and there is extensive multi-agency work ongoing across the Trust locality to support victims. Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital Emergency Departments currently piloting scheme to provide support and information on domestic abuse, including details of the Domestic Abuse Helpline. Plans are in place to roll this out to other areas in the hospital. Lip salves and tissues are given to all areas in the hospital with the Helpline number on them.

Belfast Trust

The Belfast HSC Trust was unable to provide input in response to the AQW.

Western Trust

The Western HSC Trust was unable to provide input in response to the AQW.