17.05.17
RCN launches guide to help nurses spot signs of modern slavery
A pocket guide to help nurses and healthcare workers identify the signs of modern slavery has today been launched by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
It is hoped that the booklet, which is small enough to fit in uniform pockets, will help nurses in GP surgeries, walk-in centres, A&E and maternity wards see the signs of modern slavery and allow them to help people who are being seriously oppressed.
Symptoms and indicators of modern slavery that are mentioned in the guide include signs of trauma, STIs, pregnancy and malnutrition. Nurses are also advised not to raise concern about trafficking with anyone accompanying the patient, but rather find a private space to discuss the problem.
This comes after a survey revealed that 86% of staff said they did not feel adequately equipped to deal with modern slavery – despite NHS England finding that one in five victims come into contact with healthcare services during their time in slavery.
The guide was launched during the union’s annual congress in Liverpool, which has seen both Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat Tim Farron give speeches to the RCN’s members.
Around 13,000 men, women and children are trafficked for exploitation in the UK every year – being forced into prostitution, hard manual or domestic labour.
Louise Cahill, a nursing student leading projects to raise awareness of modern slavery among professionals, said: “Working in charities, I helped victims of trafficking for years. But when I started nursing training, I found no one had any idea this was such a big problem in the UK.
“There is a huge need to educate nurses. It needs to be embedded in nursing practice – it’s a key component of our safeguarding duties.”
And Carmel Bagness, RCN professional lead for Midwifery and Women’s Health, added that victims of trafficking and slavery were often hidden from public view, so it was vital that healthcare staff take the opportunity to identify victims of slavery and know how to alert the relevant services.
“This needs to be something that nursing staff are on the lookout for at all times; they need to be able to read the signs and know exactly how to respond,” she explained. “We want to get to a point where this is second nature to all health care staff, so that every victim who comes into contact with the health service receives the help they need.
“With this pocket guide we hope to kick-start this journey to educate all nursing staff so that the health service does everything it can in the fight against modern slavery.”
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