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.