A central point of referral for all adult safeguarding in the Western Health Trust area will be available from Monday next, 3 November.
The new Adult Protection Trustwide Gateway team will be the first point of contact for initial assessment and decision making.
The initiative is designed to make it easier for individuals or agencies to refer safeguarding concerns to the Trust and ensure “consistency of approach.”
Kieran Downey, Executive Director of Social Work, Western Trust said the Trust had an overarching responsibility to contribute to and develop adult safeguarding through prevention, detection, protection, and nurturing collaborative working arrangements.
He added: “The primary concern of the Trust is the safety and welfare of all of its patients, clients and those who are most vulnerable in our society.
“Just as there is a process for protecting children in our communities there is process for protecting adults called Adult Safeguarding.
“The benefits of this new central point of contact for adult safeguarding referrals will further strengthen the governance arrangements for adult safeguarding across Adult Services. The team will bring a consistent, standardised approach to initial assessment following receipt of a referral.
“Abuse in any form is totally unacceptable. It goes without saying that all of us would expect to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of social circumstances or the state of our health. However, some adults are being mistreated – often at the hands of people they trust. The Western Trust urge people, should that be that members of the general public or health and social care staff, to report incidents of abuse or neglect.”
The contact details for the Adult Protection Gateway Team are:
Normal working hours (9.00am to 5.00pm) 028 7161 1366
Or
Out of hours Regional Emergency Social Work Service (5.00pm to 9.000am or weekends/public holidays) 028 9504 9999.
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