Do clinicians receive adequate training to identify trafficked persons? A scoping review of NHS Foundation Trusts

Abstract

OBJECTIVEWe investigate whether physicians in secondary care in the English NHS receive adequate training to recognise and appropriately refer for services those persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking.DESIGNFreedom of Information requests were sent to the 105 England's NHS Trusts delivering acute care in England.SETTINGNHS Trusts providing secondary care in England.PARTICIPANTSEnglish NHS Trusts.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESWe requested data about the training provided on human trafficking to clinicians, including the nature, delivery, and format of any education, and any planned training.RESULTSA total of 89.5% of the 105 Trusts responded. Of these Trusts, 69% provide education to physicians on human trafficking, and a further 6% provide training but did not specify who received it. The majority of Trusts providing training did so within wider safeguarding provision (91%). Only one trust reported that it provides stand-alone training on trafficking to all its staff, including physicians. Within training offered by Trusts, 54% observed best practice providing training on the clinical indicators of trafficking, while 16% referenced the National Referral Mechanism. Amongst those not providing training, 39% of Trusts report provision is in development.CONCLUSIONSOur results find that 25% of NHS Foundation Trusts appear to lack training for physicians around human trafficking. It is also of concern that of the Trusts who currently do not provide training, only 39% are developing training or planning to do so. There is an urgent need to review and update the scope of available training and bring it into alignment with current legislation.