Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse: identifying educational gaps amongst hospital staff to guide training

Safeguarding refers to the protection of health and wellbeing and enabling "life free from harm, abuse and neglect" (Safeguarding People 2019). In Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) drafted a revised 2019 policy to replace the original policy on safeguarding adults at risk of abuse. A Safeguarding Committee was founded in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin to prepare for policy implementation and staff training.

To establish staff awareness and understanding of safeguarding to guide training and policy implementation.

Cross-sectional study of 223 hospital staff using a 10-question paper survey.

Suboptimal awareness of the revised HSE policy, reporting structures and confidence levels amongst staff. In-person and online training identified as the most popular methods of learning.

Knowledge and confidence gaps can be addressed in future training. Identifying education gaps will help guide training and policy implementation.