Managing immediate concerns about the safety of an adult at risk

The safety of the adult at risk is paramount. Therefore:

• a decision should be taken as to whether there are immediate concerns about an adult’s safety;
• if serious injury has occurred and there is a need for urgent medical attention call for an ambulance by dialling 999;
• action should be taken to protect the individual from abuse;
• practitioners should contact the police using 999 if there is imminent danger. They should do this without delay to protect the adult from the risk of imminent danger;
• consideration should also be given to the immediate safety of others, individual, children or adults who also may be at immediate risk of abuse.

Example: A district nurse is outside the house of an adult patient. They hear what appears to be the adult being assaulted by a family member. They phone the police immediately.