Information sharing

There are many cases where clinicians will be asked to share information with outside agencies; there are fewer where this is a legal requirement regardless of patient consent¹.

Often, the latter refer to sharing information with statutory agencies such as the police or social services. This is indicated if:

• The victim is a child (under the age of 18). Any sexual assault of a child should trigger local safeguarding procedures as per local protocols, and should be reported to the police.
• Where there are concerns about the welfare of children (<18) of or in the care of the victim (safeguarding referral as a minimum, consider police referral if risk of significant imminent danger).
• Where the victim lacks capacity and is unlikely to regain it, a safeguarding referral is indicated.
• Where guns or knives have been used by the perpetrator, police referral is a legal obligation.

Any decision to share information with outside agencies should be made by the supervising Consultant, and ideally discussed with at least one other Consultant. The discussions surrounding this decision should be clearly documented in the patient’s case notes and communicated to the patient where possible.