Glasgow’s lifesaving child protection helpline, set up for frontline medical and community health staff, provides vital round-the-clock information and support across the city and its surrounding areas.

A key part of the service is the ‘early sharing’ of information system, recently identified in an academic study as having a crucial role to play in protecting the area’s most vulnerable children.

ANN FOTHERINGHAM spent the day with Elaine Smith and Rita Brown, two of the nurse advisers who run the helpline...

It is nine o’clock on a Monday morning, and the telephones inside the Child Protection Unit are already ringing.

This is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s round-the-clock support service for frontline health staff.

The system, which allows police, social work and health board staff to exchange concerns about the welfare and safety of children they suspect may be being abused, was set up three years ago.

Based in Yorkhill Sick Children’s Hospital, it takes around 1000 calls a year and has a 30-strong team of nurse advisors.

Clinical, training and admin staff handle enquiries relating to a wide range of issues concerning the sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children. CPU director Marie Valente, said: “NHSGCC commissioned Glasgow Caledonian University to carry out an evaluation of the early sharing service, which runs in juxtaposition with our advice line.

“Basically, we wanted to know if it was being used, and if it made a difference. The answer to both questions was yes.”

Elaine Smith and Rita Brown are the nurse advisers on duty. Both are highly qualified, with many years of experience in child protection, health visiting and nursing.

Elaine’s first call is from a police officer following up on a case involving two children brought into accident and a hospital accident and emergency department at the weekend.

Her second relates to a medical examination for a young girl who may have been sexually abused by a family member.

Elaine also checks everything is in place for a medical taking place later in the afternoon – in this case, a girl has allegedly been physically assaulted by her mother.

Rita is also dealing with a range of issues. She speaks to a social worker who is doing a pre-birth assessment of a mother who has mental health issues.

Another call is from a social worker looking for toxicology results on a child admitted to hospital.

“There were concerns the child might have been exposed to inappropriate substances,” Rita said.

“A urine sample was taken and examined for a range of substances, including cannabis and cocaine. So far all have come back negative.” Next, she speaks to a mental health nurse at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, who is concerned about the potential danger to a child whose mother has mental health issues.

She is looking for advice on how to refer the case to a social worker.

Rita says: “This is a typical Monday morning – we are often very busy after the weekend, but in fact, most days are busy.

“We can handle 20 or more calls in a day from a variety of people, across a range of issues. You have to be a very organised person to do this job, to keep all the balls in the air at the same time.”

“You do it because you want to ensure the safety of children. You don’t always find out is what happens to the children – the more serious cases you do hear about, but often you don’t really hear the end of a story.

“It is emotionally demanding, there is no doubt about that. How do you cope? It’s a difficult question, because some cases affect you more than others.”

Elaine agrees: “You do hear distressing details, and sometimes you do question yourself – could I have done more there?

“Am I sure that child is now safe? But it comes down to experience and years of training and professionalism. That’s what helps you deal with it.”