National safeguarding website

The British Medical Journal reports that the expert group set up by the General Medical Council in the wake of paediatrician David Southall’s appeal court victory is to be headed by one of the most senior family judges in England and Wales.

Lord Justice Thorpe, an appeal court judge and deputy head of family justice, will chair the group convened by the UK regulator to review guidance for paediatricians doing child protection work.

The GMC pledged last May to set up the group, whose first meeting was scheduled for 7 July, “to provide clarity and reassurance about what is expected from those who practise in this critically important area of healthcare.”