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Page updated: 13 Sep 2011

Harm

Click here to go back to the main Safeguarding Adults page.

Prevention of neglect harm (and abuse) is a primary objective for all health services.

Harm is defined as:

  • Ill treatment, both physical and emotional, that leads to an impairment of a person's physical or mental health.
  • An avoidable deterioration in a persons physical or mental health.

Responding to and addressing harm, including low level harm, is important. It may prevent situations deteriorating and leading to abuse.

Health services and individual practitioners have a central role in the prevention of harm and abuse:

  • Through working with patients and their carers, helping reduce and manage risks to their safety. 
  • Preventing neglect, harm and abuse occurring in services by getting the basics right every time through the delivery of personalised and safe care.

Safeguarding adults involves a culture that prioritises the quality of care, has strong leadership and a competent and safe workforce.

Standards are fundamental to preventing neglect, harm and abuse.

Setting standards and measuring how they are used in day to day care, allows services and practitioners to identify concerns about individual patients and early warnings about poor care within their service.

What if I think an adult is being harmed?

If you are a professional and feel that an adult  patient is experiencing harm , discuss this with you line manager, call the designated nurse for vulnerable adults for advice and complete a clinical incident form if required.

If you are a member of the public, please use the contact numbers on the 'making a safeguarding referral' page or contact the designated nurse for vulnerable adults 0161 873 6084.

For information about children’s services, please visit the children’s safeguarding section of this site.

Go back to the main Safeguarding Adults page.