Identifying Emergency Situations:
- Any staff member who becomes aware of an emergency or immediate safeguarding concern must act quickly to assess the situation.
- Examples of emergency situations may include threats of harm, suicidal ideation, disclosures of abuse, or any situation where someone's safety or well-being is at risk.
Immediate Response:
- Upon identifying an emergency situation, staff members are trained to remain calm and reassure the individual involved.
- If the emergency is occurring in real-time on our platform (e.g., via live chat or video consultation), the staff member will prioritise de-escalating the situation and ensuring the individual's safety.
- If necessary, the staff member may engage emergency services (such as calling 999 in the UK) or relevant local authorities to provide immediate assistance.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Staff members are required to document the details of the emergency situation, including any actions taken and communications with the individual involved.
- A designated staff member or team is responsible for maintaining records of all emergency incidents and reporting them to senior management for review and follow-up.
Support and Follow-Up:
- After the immediate emergency has been addressed, staff members will continue to provide support and assistance to the individual involved.
- This may include offering resources for further assistance, providing contact information for relevant support services, or arranging follow-up consultations with healthcare professionals.
Review and Evaluation:
- Following an emergency incident, our management team conducts a thorough review and evaluation of the response procedures.
- Any areas for improvement or additional training needs are identified, and necessary adjustments are made to enhance our emergency response protocols.
Confidentiality and Data Protection:
- Throughout the emergency response process, staff members adhere to strict confidentiality and data protection policies.
- Personal information shared during emergency situations is handled with the utmost sensitivity and only disclosed to authorised individuals on a need-to-know basis.
Last reviewed 30th March 2024.
By having these procedures in place, we ensure that DrDavidCartland.com is equipped to respond effectively to emergencies and safeguarding concerns, prioritising the safety and well-being of all users.