Safeguarding means protecting people's health, wellbeing and human rights. It helps adults and children live safely, free from harm, abuse or neglect.

Safeguarding children, young people and adults is everyone's responsibility. Organisations and individuals must work together to reduce risks and stop abuse or neglect from happening.

Providing safe care is a key part of good healthcare. All staff, whatever their role, have a responsibility to help protect vulnerable people while they receive care. The Trust also works with other health and social care services to keep people safe.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust is committed to protecting every adult's and child's right to be safe from harm and exploitation.

The Trust helps safeguard adults and children by:

  • Treating everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Having zero tolerance of abuse.
  • Making sure any concerns are reported quickly and acted on straight away.
  • Listening to service users and their families.
  • Making sure people's views are heard.
  • Supporting choice, control and involvement in care.
  • Giving staff the training and support they need to respond to concerns. 

If you think a child or adult is at risk of harm

If someone is in immediate danger of serious harm or death, call the police on 999.  

If you think a crime may have happened, call the local police on 101.

You should also contact Social Care if you are worried about abuse or neglect.    

Referral processes are different in each area. Referral information is available for: 

You can also tell a member of Nottinghamshire Healthcare staff, such as a nurse, doctor or care co-ordinator. You can contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) if you prefer.

Nottinghamshire NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to integrating the fundamental principles of equality and diversity into all practices concerning safeguarding adults and children. We recognise and value that individuals may face differing experiences, and strive to promote inclusivity and respect for diversity within our organisation. All individuals will be treated equitably and provided with necessary information, guidance, and assistance to ensure their safety and empower them to maintain autonomy in their lives.

Making Safeguarding Personal

Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust works closely with patients wherever possible. We aim to make sure people have choice and control over what happens to them.

Making Safeguarding Personal means listening to what matters to you. It is about understanding what you want to change and what a good outcome looks like for you. You will be given chances to share your views at every stage of the safeguarding process. 

You can talk to us

You can tell any member of staff if:

  • You are experiencing abuse.
  • You have experienced abuse in the past.
  • You are worried about another adult or child. 

A member of staff will talk with you about ways to improve your safety and reduce the risk of harm. Some staff have a lead role in safeguarding. Your concerns may be shared with the Trust's Safeguarding Leads to make sure the right action is taken.

You can also raise concerns about the care you are receiving. This helps us keep you and others safe.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

PALS can answer questions, help resolve problems and support you to make a complaint.

Telephone: 0115 993 4542

Email: PALSandComplaints@nottshc.nhs.uk

Write to:

PALS and Complaints 
Highbury Hospital 
Highbury Road 
Nottingham 
NG6 9DR 

Protecting other adults and children

Sometimes, information shared with staff shows that another adult or child may be at risk of harm. In these cases, staff must take action to keep people safe.

If you tell us about abuse that happened in the past, we may still need to share this information to protect others. Staff have a legal duty to protect people at risk and may need to share information with Social Services or the police.

Where possible, staff will explain what information needs to be shared and why. This may not happen if doing so would increase the risk of harm to others. 

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