Doctors warned to look out for signs of domestic abuse

The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has reminded doctors to be on the lookout for signs of domestic abuse when treating patients.  The advice from the UK’s largest indemnifier of doctors comes as published figures have revealed that reports of domestic violence increased by 11% last year, while prosecutions were down by 14% during the same period.  Speaking following the publication of the figures, Dr Richenda Tisdale, medico-legal adviser at the MDU, said: “Doctors and other healthcare professionals have a duty to be alert to the symptoms of domestic abuse and are often in a position to spot these signs and