Guidance for General Practice Teams

Responding to domestic abuse during telephone and video consultations

We know that COVID-19 will have a detrimental impact on the safety and lives of patients affected by domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and their children. Home may not be a safe place for those affected by DVA.
Weeks or months of self-isolation may be a dangerous and deeply difficult time for many, as their routes to support and safety will be shut down or limited. GPs and other general practice clinicians play a vital role in addressing DVA in the current COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown.
Usual routes of enquiring about and supporting patients experiencing domestic abuse are no longer an option. Phone and video consultations are currently being used by most practices in the UK in place of face-to-face consultations.
This guidance aims to inform safe telephone and video consultations with patients who are known to be at risk of DVA, when you suspect DVA and in response to
self-disclosures of DVA. As patients will speak with reception or triage staff before they speak to a clinician, it is important that all staff in telephone or video contact with patients have an understanding of the effect of domestic abuse on their patient population and the current risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians should check whether a patient’s medical record includes a Safeguarding/DVA code before conducting a telephone or video consultation.

Ask

  • Prior to conducting any conversation around domestic abuse, ask the patient if it is safe to talk, saying a simple “yes” or “no” will do. If it isn’t then ask for a suggested safe time to call back. Be aware that situations change quickly and that risk is dynamic.
  • Ask if the patient is alone to ensure that the perpetrator isn’t in the same room. Be aware that the perpetrator may be in the house or enter the house and ask the patient to terminate the call if the perpetrator comes into the room.
  • Ask if the patient feels safe and if there is any immediate danger. Always advise calling 999 if there is any immediate danger. If the patient is unable to do this, offer to do this instead.
  • Consider use of ‘closed’ questions when asking about safety – questions with ‘yes/no’ answers may help your patient share that they are being harmed, even if they cannot talk freely.

Respond

  • Validate the patient’s experience with phrases like ‘I believe you’ or ‘This is not your fault.’ A patient will be in an extremely vulnerable situation if self-isolating with the perpetrator.
  • Ask about what support the patient has and what support they might need.

Risk assess

  • Ask the patient if the abuse is getting worse.
  • Ask if the patient feels unsafe to stay in the home/is in immediate danger.
  • If the patient says yes, they feel unsafe to stay in the home/are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
  • If there are also children in the home, make an immediate safeguarding referral.

Record

  • Consider whether a safeguarding referral is needed if there are any children and/or vulnerable adults at risk and follow your usual practice safeguarding procedures.
  • These cases can be challenging to manage – discuss with your Practice Safeguarding Lead, your colleagues or your local safeguarding professionals if you need further advice and guidance.
  • Consider whether you, or one of your colleagues, can call the patient again, to offer support and agree what timeframe for this is realistic and appropriate.
  • If your practice is an IRIS Domestic Abuse Aware Practice, please continue to refer patients to your IRIS Advocate Educator.
  • If your practice is not an IRIS Domestic Abuse Aware Practice or the patient doesn’t want a direct referral, make sure you are aware of and can share contact details for the the local domestic abuse services in your area or at least the local national helpline – details are at the end of this document.
  • Make patients aware of online support; you can either signpost them to relevant websites or text/email the details if safe to do so. We have provided links below.

Record

  • Make sure you document all enquiries, disclosures and referrals on the patient’s record.
  • Ensure you code any disclosure under the Read code 14XD (history of domestic abuse) and hide the consultation from online access.
  • Ensure you code any disclosure on the medical records of any children or vulnerable adults in the household (see the RCGP national recording guidance on domestic abuse for more detail).
  • Document any concerns that you have, even if the patient does not disclose domestic abuse.

Also consider

  • If you are an IRIS-trained practice, consider including clear signposting information on your practice website so survivors can self-refer to the local IRIS service.
  • Check the details with your local IRIS Advocate-Educator. Include clear signposting informati on on DVA on your practice website for patients affected by DVA so they can access specialist domesti abuse advice and support.
  • This information could sit beside other COVID-19 information so patients can access it without it being obvious that this is what they are looking for.

Useful numbers and links