Responding to domestic violence in acute hospital settings

McGarry, Julie
Westbury, Maggie
Kench, Selecia
Furse, Bella

¹Julie McGarry Associate professor and lead for safeguarding, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham.
²Maggie Westbury Domestic abuse nurse specialist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
³Selecia Kench Domestic abuse nurse specialist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
⁴Bella Furse Safeguarding adults and consent matron, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

McGarry Jet al (2014) Responding to domestic violence in acute hospital settings.

Nursing Standard. 28, 34, 47-50. Date of submission: October 9 2013; date of acceptance: January 8 2014.

Nursing Standard 28(34):p 47-50, April 23, 2014.

Abstract

Domestic violence is recognised as a significant global health and societal concern. It is associated with physical and emotional effects, and individuals may present to a range of healthcare providers. There has been a paucity of evidence regarding effective strategies for the identification and support of patients who have experienced domestic violence, particularly in acute healthcare environments, until recently. This article describes the development and implementation of a domestic abuse nurse specialist role within one acute hospital trust. The wider implications for staff education and training are also considered.

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