Safeguarding

at Breast Scan Harley Street

At Breast Scan Harley Street,

safeguarding is not just a policy

It is a commitment to every individual who walks through our doors. We take your safety, privacy, and wellbeing seriously, and we work tirelessly to ensure that our environment is supportive, secure, and respectful at all times.

Our Safeguarding Commitment

We are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and professional environment where every patient — regardless of age, gender, background, or health status — feels protected and valued. All of our team members are trained in safeguarding procedures and work to uphold the highest standards of care and conduct.

Our safeguarding approach covers:

  • Patient dignity and consent
  • Emotional and psychological safety
  • Confidentiality and data protection
  • Safeguarding vulnerable adults and minors
  • Zero tolerance for discrimination or abuse
  • Secure handling of medical images and records

Protecting Your Privacy and Personal Data

At Breast Scan, we understand the importance of privacy in sensitive healthcare settings. From how we manage your health records to how your scans are stored and shared, we strictly adhere to GDPR and UK data protection laws.

We ensure:

  • All patient data is encrypted and stored securely
  • Only authorised medical professionals can access your information
  • You are fully informed and in control of how your data is used

For a complete overview, please see our Privacy Policy.

Staff Training and Accountability

All clinicians, radiologists, technologists, and front-of-house staff at Breast Scan receive regular safeguarding training, including:

  • Recognising signs of distress or abuse
  • Managing consent and patient autonomy
  • Clear escalation protocols for safeguarding concerns

Our safeguarding leads ensure policies are followed and any concerns are dealt with promptly and appropriately.

A Safe Environment for Everyone

Whether you are attending a consultation, imaging appointment, or follow-up, you can trust that Breast Scan
Harley Street is a place of safety and care. Whether you’re visiting for a routine scan or specialist care, your dignity, comfort, and rights are always at the heart of what we do.

If you ever feel uncomfortable, unsure, or wish to raise a concern, no matter how small, our team is here to listen and support you.

Legal Framework
In the UK we have legislation designed to identify and protect children and young people and adults at risk. Whilst the foundational duties for safeguarding lie within human and equality rights, the mechanisms can be found within the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014. This legislation along with other legislation such as the Mental Capacity Act 2005 creates a legal framework upon which our national and local policies are developed. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and its associated regulations, we are under a duty to provide safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care. The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator who monitors, inspects and regulates our compliance with these standards. At OneWelbeck we ensure that the duties and principles of safeguarding children, young people and adults are applied diligently and consistently for everyone so every contact counts. OneWelbeck works closely with agencies to deliver its safeguarding responsibilities collectively. This partnership working enables the clinic to help and support those needing safeguarding support or intervention.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places a duty on healthcare providers to have arrangements in place to ensure that the organisation, and all staff working within it, have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. OneWelbeck regularly reviews their arrangements against these requirements and is compliant with them.
Safeguarding Adults
Safeguarding responsibilities include patients who are over the age of 18 (adults).Under the Care Act 2014, all adults have the right to live in safety free from abuse and neglect.All staff within One Welbeck are trained, and encouraged, to ensure that they work together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including following the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal as this initiative aims to ensure that our safeguarding response is individualised to the person’s own beliefs and wishes leading to meaningful improvements in the person’s life.All patients over the age of 16 years, should it become necessary, will have their capacity assessed in line with The Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Domestic Abuse
Staff in all Centres are trained in domestic abuse and the importance of recognition, ensuring the survivors receive the correct information and support and making referrals when they are required.There are posters in all areas of the hospital encouraging patients, staff and visitors to request help. An information leaflet is also available in all areas for patients, visitors or staff to take which contains essential advice and support agencies.
Policies and Procedures
Safeguarding practice is guided by OneWelbeck’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Safeguarding Adults Policy. These policies have been written compliant with various pieces of legislation and national and local policy, to include The Children Act 1989, ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023’, London Safeguarding Children Procedures, the Care Act 2014, Care and Support Guidance (updated August 2024), London Multi Agency Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.Welbeck Group has a system for flagging safeguarding concerns. All staff are given additional information and support from specialists within the safeguarding team around all matters in safeguarding on request.
Safeguarding Responsibilities

OneWelbeck is fully committed to providing the highest standards of safeguarding practice. OneWelbeck believes that everyone has the right to:

• Live free from abuse and improper treatment

• Be protected from harm and exploitation

• Be empowered to be part of the solution – no decision about me without me

• Have their rights respected and fulfilled

Safeguarding Assurance
OneWelbeck has safeguarding accountability and assurance arrangements in place both internally and externally. All staff have access to a Safeguarding Lead within their Centre. Each Centre has access to the Safeguarding Team. The Safeguarding Team report quarterly to the Safeguarding Committee for Children, Young People and Adults and to the QAPI Board.OneWelbeck works in partnership with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and Local Safeguarding Adult Partnership which ensures multi-agency exposure and sharing of best practice.OneWelbeck provides external assurance around safeguarding to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Safe Recruitment
OneWelbeck has a clear process for ensuring that anyone working with children, young people and adults has an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they commence work. OneWelbeck Directors complete the Fit and Proper Persons Test. Onewelbeck employs a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FSU Guardian) Welbeck Group has a nominated HR Director who works in partnership with our Executive Safeguarding Lead and Safeguarding Leads in the Centres.
Training
All Centre staff are trained in line with their role in safeguarding children, young people and adults, to include PREVENT, Domestic Abuse, and the Mental Capacity Act.Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff, regardless of role. The training needs analysis is mapped to the Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff Intercollegiate Document (Second Edition) 2024 and the Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff Intercollegiate Document Fourth Edition) 2019 and is delivered via a range of blended learning, with online and face-to-face training options.

Contact Our
Safeguarding Lead,

Your safety and trust matter
deeply to us.

If you would like more information about our safeguarding policy or need to raise a concern in confidence, please contact:

Safeguarding Lead – Breast Scan Harley Street
safeguarding@breastscan.co.uk                                           02079351234